Tuesday 8 July 2014

UK wave and tidal energy sites approved

New sites for testing wave and tidal energy in the UK have been approved by the Crown Estate.

It has agreed to lease out areas of the seabed across England, Scotland and Wales for the development of five 10MW-30MW capacity project sites and six demonstration zones.

Siemens, the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC), Menter Mon and Minesto were named the winning bidders for the sites.

For the first time, local organisations are being invited to manage and sub-let parts of the seabed to a range of wave and tidal stream developers.

Energy Minister Greg Barker said: “Wave and tidal stream are growing green, clean energy sources which have the potential to sustain thousands of jobs in a sector worth, from exports alone, a possible £4 billion per annum by 2050.

“Today’s news will help the UK ensure these sectors reach their full potential in our country’s future energy mix.”