Wales “perfectly placed” for emerging marine energy industry
Wales offers the perfect conditions for the emerging marine energy industry, according to Welsh environment minister, Jane Davidson.
The minister was speaking ahead of a British-Irish Council summit which is being held in Guernsey today and tomorrow (June 24-25). The minister will be attending with Welsh first minister, Carwyn Jones and deputy first minister, Ieuan Wyn Jones.
The Council is due to focus on marine renewables and in particular opportunities for collaboration and joint working between the British-Irish Council membership to enable the marine sector to flourish. The environment minister said: “Wales really does have a lot to offer on marine renewables. “Our energy policy statement, ‘A Low Carbon Revolution’, estimates that Wales has the potential to produce more than twice as much energy as it currently uses through wholly renewable sources by 2025, with the largest proportion of this energy coming from marine generated electricity.
“Our geographical position means that we are perfectly placed for an emerging marine energy industry as we have some of the best tidal stream resource in the UK, in terms of accessibility and shelter. “I am committed to exploiting this tremendous resource in order to mitigate the effects of climate change and maximise the potential for green jobs and a green economy. ”
Exploitable
Apart from the huge tidal energy resource in the Severn Estuary, the Welsh Assembly Government believes that the main areas of exploitable wave resource in Wales exists off the coast of Pembrokeshire, whilst the main areas for tidal stream are off the North and West coast of Anglesey, the West coast of Pembrokeshire and the Western arm of the Llyn Peninsula. The WAG said it was committed to working with stakeholders, with a focus on delivering its low carbon aspirations in its high energy areas through its Marine Energy Pembrokeshire Working Group and the Energy Island Programme.
The Assembly Government is currently developing its Marine Renewable Energy Strategic Framework to support the exploitation of marine renewables and to assess the potential for energy extraction, whilst looking to minimise the impact on the environment. The project is due to be completed at the end of the year. Ms Davidson said: “I look forward to working closely with UK administrations on this issue. Close collaboration and joint working will be key to the delivery of a low carbon society and a successful and vibrant marine renewable energy sector. “