Regen SW, an organization representing renewables sector in the South West of England, has sent a draft set of policy recommendations intended to accelerate the commercialization of wave and tidal energy to the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC).
Following the last month’s South West Marine Energy Round Table, the industry has provided DECC Minister Andrea Leadsom with a draft set of policy recommendations aimed at enabling the UK to build on its current leadership position within wave and tidal energy sectors.
Amongst others, the recommendations include restating the UK’s commitment and long term ambition for marine energy and setting out the policy framework beyond 2020, initiation of a cross industry programme to increase reliability and support cost of energy (LCOE) reduction in Marine Energy, and putting in place an interim ‘minima’ and strike price for wave and tidal energy to avoid a cliff-edge fall in investment in 2019.
Also, Regen SW is calling for a sustainable funding structure for Wave Hub and other UK testand demonstration sites, adaptation of financial instruments to encourage technology and project investment, and enabling access to the CfD through a simpler and more flexible approach for new technologies and demonstration sites.
Johnny Gowdy , Director of Regen SW, said in a letter to Leadsom on behalf of the South West Marine Energy Park: “To achieve this it will be important for DECC, BIS and other government departments to work together with the marine energy industry Page 2 November 2015 to set out a clear ambition and commitment, backed by policy measures, to enhance investor confidence and enable the UK industry to deliver cost competitive energy, jobs and export opportunities into the next decade.”
Regen SW is a non-profit company working to enable business, local authorities and other organisations to deliver renewable energy and energy efficiency and build a prosperous low-carbon economy in the South West of England.
Image: Regen SW