Six of the UK’s most promising wave and tidal energy technologies have been chosen to receive a share of £22 million of Government funding, with the aim of securing mass scale deployment of marine energy technology by 2020.
The six recipients – Atlantis Resources, Aquamarine Power, Hammerfest Strom UK, Marine Current Turbines, Pelamis Wave Power and Voith Hydro – will get a share of the £22 million
Marine Renewable Proving Fund (MRPF), announced as part of the Government’s
Renewable Energy Strategy last July.
The purpose of the
MRPF, which was designed and is managed by the
Carbon Trust, is to speed up the deployment of full scale prototypes, with the possibility of seeing a thousand devices operating in UK waters by 2020.
Max Carcas, business development directorat Pelamis Wave Power, said that the
MRPF funding was most welcome and would accelerate deployment of the company’s Pelamis 'P2' machine in Orkney this year, and increase the scope and pace of trials through to March 2011.
“The MRPF scheme represents a timely step-change in the levels and nature of support available from the UK Government, and is certain to both accelerate industry progress and to further cement the lead currently enjoyed by the sector in this country," he said
Marine renewables 10 years behind offshore windAlthough Carbon Trust analysis shows that 25 per cent of the world's
wave and tidal technologies are being developed in the UK, wave and tidal energy is currently 10 years behind offshore wind energy in its development.
Nevertheless, chief executive of the Carbon Trust, Tom Delay, said that the UK's powerful wave and tidal resource not only has the potential to play a crucial role in meeting climate change targets, but also presents a significant economic opportunity.
“The demonstration of full scale devices at sea is central to realising the full potential of marine energy and getting the first commercial projects in the water is critical to 'de-risk' the technology and attract the necessary private sector investment,” he said
“This is the start of major new industry that will generate jobs and wealth across the UK."
All of the devices receiving MRPF funding will be deployed in UK waters, which the Carbon Trust says will stimulate supply chain opportunities associated with construction and deployment of these technologies. More than three quarters of the funding released through the MRPF will go to the UK supply chain.
The idea behind the MRPF is to accelerate the leading and most promising marine devices towards the point where they can qualify for the Government’s existing Marine Renewable Deployment Fund (MRDF) support scheme and, ultimately, be deployed commercially at scale.
UK in "pole position" to lead marine renewable innovationGreenpeace executive director, John Sauven commented: "Marine renewable technologies are cutting edge and the UK is in pole position to lead the innovation and commercialisation of this secure energy source, which will keep our economy competitive.
“The Carbon Trust grants will give a much needed boost and to build on them we need all political parties to show their full commitment to achieving Britain's
renewable energy targets."
Related News:
Green Marine and Eco-Shipping NewsGreen Grants and Funding NewsRenewable Energy NewsCarbon Trust NewsRelated Links:
www.carbontrust.co.ukwww.voithhydro.comwww.atlantisresourcescorporation.comwww.aquamarinepower.comwww.hammerfeststrom.comwww.marineturbines.comwww.pelamiswave.com