Marine park 'must be priority' – warning
The Government risks "squandering" Britain's position as world-leader on marine energy if it fails to make the industry a "priority", MPs have warned.
Cornwall and Devon stand to reap a massive jobs boost if ambitious plans to harness the power of waves and tides are realised.
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Ocean Energy hopes to deploy a full-sized version of its OE Buoy at Wave Hub off Cornwall this year
But a powerful cross-party committee of MPs fears history could repeat itself after Britain forfeited its pole position to Scandinavia on wind power.
Last month the Government officially granted the South West region Marine Energy Park status, making the area the sector's focal point in the UK.
Tim Yeo, chairman of the Energy and Climate Change Select Committee, said seven of the world's eight prototypes sit in UK waters, so "Britannia could rule the waves".
But the MP added: "In the 1980s, the UK squandered the lead it had in wind power development and now Denmark has a large share of the worldwide market in turbine manufacturing.
"It should be a priority for the Government to ensure that the UK remains at the cutting edge of developments in this technology and does not allow our lead to slip."
The "virtual" marine park, spread across sites in Devon, Cornwall and Bristol, could see energy devices born in the region exported to China and South America.
The park will gravitate around the ports of Falmouth, Hayle, Plymouth and Bristol.
But Cornwall's Wave Hub, a wave energy "nursery" in Falmouth bay and research facilities at Plymouth and Exeter universities are all key.
Forecasts suggest there could be 5,000 jobs in the sector in the region by 2017.
The Government believes harnessing the power of the sea could eventually generate enough energy to equal eight nuclear stations, fuelling thousands of British homes.
The committee's report makes a raft of recommendations, including making it easier for energy to be fed to the national grid and urging youngsters to study engineering.
MPs are also concerned there is there is no sign of Government subsidies for the sector being available after 2017 and that planning restrictions are too oppressive.
The Parliamentary inquiry received evidence warning that companies from Germany, Norway and Spain are stealing a march on building and installing the technology.
Mr Yeo added: "We are extremely well-placed to lead the world in wave and tidal technologies, which could potentially bring significant benefits in manufacturing and jobs, as well an abundant supply of reliable low-carbon electricity.
"A more visionary approach from the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) could help to boost confidence and drive the pace of development."
A DECC spokesman said: "We are fully committed to spurring on the growth of this industry and have already taken great strides to make this happen.
"Last month, Climate Change Minister Greg Barker launched the South West Marine Energy Park and there are plans to create similar parks in Scotland and Northern Ireland."
Anglo-American firm Ocean Power Technologies has reserved a berth at Wave Hub, which is effectively an energy terminal off the north Cornwall coast, and has ties with the University of Exeter.
The firm's chief executive, Angus Norman, said the report made a "timely and strong case for further impetus" if the UK is to "extend its leadership in this sector and make it a commercial-scale marine renewable industry".
Dr Gordon Edge, director of policy of Renewable UK, the industry's campaign body, said: "We welcome the committee's recognition that any failure to help the industry live up to its promise could lead to other countries stealing the UK's current global lead.
"We can't afford to have innovation and manufacturing in hi-tech industries go overseas."
Johnny Gowdy, programme director of Regen South West, said: "It's very positive that the Energy and Climate Change Select Committee has recognised the potential importance of marine energy; and that they have highlighted the need for more support in order for the UK is going to maintain its current industry lead – but while the report is a useful summary of the issues that the industry faces it is disappointing that it does not propose any new radical policy measures."
11 Comments
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by Peter20113
Tuesday, February 21 2012, 5:58PM
“What's all the negative ratings eh?”
by Peter20113
Tuesday, February 21 2012, 10:04AM
“I would rename Plymouth "Marineville"”
by SlobberDan
Tuesday, February 21 2012, 9:50AM
“Why don't we use the natural resorces this country has in abundance and produces more every year. Have a huge tread mill hooked up to the national grid with the 'career' unemployed running on it for their benefits. We would be world leaders.”
by bettysenior
Tuesday, February 21 2012, 9:10AM
“Tomgreen 1234
One of my friends is Bernard Ingham who is secretary of the Nuclear Forum. I agree that Nuclear has to be a main part of our energy make-up and security. I believe that the 'big' penny is at last dropping with our politicians with the French cooperative venture. But we still need a balance of main stream energy sources and the unlimited energy of the sea has to be a primary source. For it is basically limitless and makes complete sense. All other forms of energy generation other than nuclear and fossil fuels, only work when the sun shines or the wind is at the right velocity. The latter only works on average no more than 25% of the time according to many international studies and where this strategy will be seen as a white elephant in the years to come as we have to pump continuously billions of pounds in maintenance and just to keep them running. There will never be a pay-back once the huge subsidies are removed and will be a further heavy burden on our financial resources as a nation.
SlobberDan
No interest other than to see this country not held to ransom by the Russians and oil giants/governments in the future as they will with their oil and gas sales. Innovation is the only way that we will realistically reduce our energy costs and secure our long-term energy needs. Our Foundation is only supporting the WWH because it makes economical and social security sense for the people of Britain.”
by tomgreen1234
Monday, February 20 2012, 11:22PM
“Expand Hydro and tidal power should be the main energy sources for Britain's sustainable future.
You have got to be kidding. Nuclear power is absolutely the only way forward.”
by SlobberDan
Monday, February 20 2012, 11:17PM
“World Innovation foundation'' - No financial interest there then !!!”
by bettysenior
Monday, February 20 2012, 9:06PM
“Expand Hydro and tidal power should be the main energy sources for Britain's sustainable future. There are enough technically proven schemes that are not allowed to enter into the equation and subdued by the big energy players, that could make the UK self-sufficient in energy terms. Even politicians are not aware of these alternative hydro/wave energy schemes. If they were they would see that wind is sheer folly in the long-term. One of these massive alternative energy providers and the biggest continuous energy provider is the Western Water Highway (WWH) which other than transfer 49% of the road haulage traffic off the roads of the South of England, would also provide in perpetuity 15% of our electricity needs night and day without relent - hardly any maintenance costs either once built. The cost £25 bil. but no politicians I have spoken too knows anything about it even thought this proven scheme by AMEC has been out there for 15 years now. Unfortunately to the demise of the British taxpayer, who intrinsically end up paying for poor political decision-making, the vast and powerful energy groups will always put themselves first before those who pay them for their energy - you and me. That's why the WWH will never be heard of and where the British people will always end up paying through the nose and at an increasingly astronomical price for their energy. A fixed system and rigged, I would say so.
But it has to be asked, what changes in this country and where you don't have to go to a foreign country to find corruption and vested-interest on an increasingly massive scale. The people are being absolutely fooled by the energy providers and the sooner that they realise this the better, as we would have lower and lower energy costs. The only thing that they have to do is to make it perfectly clear to our politicians that they will not continue to be conned year in, year out. For that is what in reality is happening 365 days of the year. The hidden truth is out there but where the taxpayer and customer are always the last to find out.
Dr David Hill
World Innovation Foundation”
by atoll
Monday, February 20 2012, 8:44PM
“bring it on,if energy companies want to spend billions on R&D falmouth docks would be the ideal location,then there would be no need to dredge a costly,ecologically disasterous channel.
this would benifit greatly the region that all ready has the engineering infastructure.........
instead of relying on seasonal cruiseship tourism,”
by atoll
Monday, February 20 2012, 8:42PM
“bring it on,if energy companies want to spend billions on R&D falmouth docks would be the ideal location,then there would be no need to dredge a costly,ecologically disasterous channel.
this would benifit greatly the region that all ready has the engineering infastructure.........
instead of relying on seasonal tourism,.”
by willems
Monday, February 20 2012, 4:32PM
“More damned expensive,ineffectual junk ruining the view,and along with wind turbines,totally incapable of meeting energy requirements for the future.
Enough of this hippie garbage. Go nuclear.”