Marine Energy Wales has deemed Minesto’s plans to expand its Deep Green tidal energy project as a positive step forward for the development of the marine renewables sector in Wales.
The recently formed Welsh marine industry body, Marine Energy Wales, has welcomed the plans announced last week by Swedish tidal energy developer Minesto to expand its Deep Green tidal project, to be sited off Anglesey in Wales, from 10MW to 80MW.
A scoping report has been submitted to Natural Resources Wales and Marine Management Organisation following the completion of in-depth study which concluded that the site would be suitable for future deployment of 80MW installed capacity.
The news comes weeks after the Hendry Review into tidal lagoons was released , backing not only Tidal Lagoon Power’s £1.3 billion project in Swansea Bay but also the wider wave and tidal stream sector.
In addition, over 100 Members of Parliament have signed the letter sent to UK Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Greg Clark, sent yesterday, February 14, 2017, urging the government to act swiftly on the recommendations made by Charles Hendry.
The review stated that ‘marine energy technologies offer an energy opportunity where the UK can reasonably aspire to be the global leader, with some substantial supply chain opportunities to match it.’
David Jones , Project Director of Marine Energy Wales, said: “It is really exciting that there is now an active industry in Wales looking at tidal range, stream, wave and floating offshore wind. There are opportunities across the country and we have the chance to export Welsh skills and knowledge to what is quickly becoming a global market. The expansion of Minesto’s project is a positive step forward for the company but also for the whole of the sector in Wales.”
Both of these innovative projects will bring with them new low carbon jobs while also playing a key role in supporting peripheral economies, as well as supply chain diversity, resilience and clustering, according to Marine Energy Wales.