Cornish MP George Eustice pledged his support behind marine renewable energy opportunities for the South West at a recent workshop hosted by industry leaders.
The MP for Redruth, Camborne and Hayle heard how the emerging sector holds huge potential for businesses to enter the supply chain, conduct device development and testing and create job opportunities for the region.
Representatives from Cornwall Marine Network (CMN), A&P Group, University of Exeter, Falmouth Harbour Commissioners and Mojo Maritime highlighted the challenges faced in ensuring the South West positions itself to compete in the global market place.
Cornwall’s WaveHub off Hayle, FabTest trial facilities in Falmouth Bay, the establishment of the South West Marine Energy Park and businesses collaborations through the newly-formed Marine Offshore Renewables (MOR) Group all increasingly showcase the region as world leaders in the emerging sector.
Speaking after the event at CMN’s offices in Falmouth, Mr Eustice said “I was very impressed by the progress of the FabTest and MOR Group initiatives. The potential of the Marine Energy industry forCornwallis hugely exciting and could provide thousands of jobs for the area as well as clean, renewable energy.
“I will continue to lobby the Government to further support the fledgling industry in the South West, and build on the launch of the SWMEP to ease the regulatory burden for test devices.”
Richard Reed , of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Learning Enterprise Partnership (LEP) , also attended and said: “Marine Renewable Energy forms an important part of the LEP’s business strategy. I am delighted to see the developments at FabTest and the formation of a co-operative organisation for private sector business development in this emerging market.”
CMN’s CEO Paul Wickes was delighted by the commitment expressed by the visiting delegates and added: “This was a chance to stress both the challenges and opportunities from an employer’s perspective and what needs to be done to take the marine renewable industry from concept to a commercial scale.”
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Offshore WIND staff, July 2, 2012; Image: Cornwall Marine Network