Marine Energy All-Party Parliamentary Group relaunches
The Marine Energy All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) has been relaunched with Orkney and Shetland MP as Chair. The first full group meeting of the new Parliament was held today, 22 October 2024.
Chair Alistair Carmichael MP is joined by Llinos Medi MP (Plaid Cymru, Ynys Mon), Harriet Cross MP (Conservative, Gordon and Buchan) and Torcuil Crichton MP (Labour, Na h-Eileanan an Iar) as officers of the group.
The UK has over 30 GW of untapped marine energy potential, enough to provide a third of its current electricity demand. This can be harnessed via installing tidal stream turbines and wave energy converters in its seas.
The APPG is focussed on realising that potential, promoting the economic, supply chain and energy security benefits from the development of marine energy resources. Its membership spans all four nations with MPs representing coastal communities and constituencies poised to benefit from marine energy through the creation of green jobs, supply chains, and growth.
The marine energy global export market is forecast to be worth over £70bn by 2050. With over 80% UK supply chain content going into projects currently being deployed, marine energy can play a key role in realising the Government’s ambition to make the UK a clean energy superpower. This requires a supportive and clear policy environment.
Today’s meeting brought together MPs and industry leaders from across the political spectrum to discuss the actions required during this Parliament to support the UK realising its marine energy potential, and the industry’s key asks of the Labour Government:
- Setting a £30m tidal stream and a £5m wave energy ringfence in its next renewable auction.
- Co-investing in marine energy projects via GB Energy.
- Targeting 1 GW of tidal stream and 300 MW wave energy deployment by 2035.
Alistair Carmichael MP welcomed the re-establishment of the Marine Energy APPG:
“The UK has a rich marine energy resource and the necessary maritime engineering expertise to lead the world in harnessing the power of waves and tides. This requires government and industry working together to create an enabling policy environment that gets more projects in our waters. I am thrilled to be elected chair of the Marine Energy APPG and look forward to working with colleagues from all parties to deliver real progress during this parliament.”
Neil Kermode, managing director, EMEC attending the APPG:
“It’s great to see strong cross-party interest in marine energy, with representation across Labour, the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, Plaid Cymru, SNP and DUP, reflecting the nationwide commitment to this crucial sector. I’m particularly pleased to see Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, at the helm of the APPG. Alistair is a steadfast advocate of maintaining the UK’s leadership in marine energy and has seen first-hand the jobs and supply chain growth that have come from the unprecedented testing and demonstration activities in Orkney; economic benefits which will continue to expand throughout the UK as the sector further evolves and commercialises.”
For more information and list of members, see: Marine Energy APPG
Source: Marine Energy Council