News this week

The Future of Marine Renewables in the UK: Report from the Energy and Climate Change Committee

“Britannia really could rule the waves when it comes to marine renewable energy”
(Tim Yeo, ECCC Chair)

EMEC welcomes the report from the Energy and Climate Change Committee (ECCC) supporting the wave and tidal energy industry in the UK. The report examines the potential benefits of wave and tidal power, and the challenges faced by the sector, with a particular focus on investment, financing and government policy. The report acknowledges the vast opportunities present for the UK in developing a reliable, predictable and indigenous low-carbon electricity source, as well as becoming the leading exporter of marine power equipment and expertise.

Tim Yeo, Chairman of the ECCC stated: “it should be a priority for the Government to ensure that the UK remains at the cutting edge of developments in this technology and does not allow our lead to slip”.

This report follows the ECCC’s visit to Orkney last October when they visited the Billia Croo wave test site, Lyness marine renewables port, and the developments at Hatston, witnessing the breadth of marine renewables activity that is taking place here in Orkney. Whilst in Orkney they met with developers, industry and council representatives (see Annex 1: Note of the visit to Orkney).

Throughout the week, the report was discussed at the Renewable UK Marine Strategy Group in London, and Scottish Government’s Marine Energy Group in Glasgow, both echoing broad support for the content of the report.

Other news:
Neil Kermode was engaged in a lively debate last night, as one of the speakers at The Chartered Institute of Water and Environmental Management’s (CIWEM) annual environment debate. The debate, titled ‘Are the Scottish Government’s 2020 Renewable Energy Targets Achievable’?, was held at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. Neil joined Niall Stuart, Chief Executive of Scottish Renewables speaking ‘for’, with Steve Wallis, Visiting Professor, University of Strathclyde arguing ‘against’. After an interesting discussion the motion was carried that the renewable energy targets set by the Scottish Government are achievable.

Coming up:
Next week, EMEC are hosting Charles Gallagher and Hannah Nixon from OFGEM, who are keen to witness the scale of work going on in Orkney, and discuss the measures required to enable energy generated in Orkney to be fed into the grid.