The UK risks squandering its lead in the global marine energy industry if its government does not adopt a strong vision for technology and market development, a group of politicians has warned.
The UK has the largest wave and tidal resources in Europe and is leading the development of marine renewable energy technologies, but the Energy and Climate Change Select Committee says that it will only be able to stay ahead if the government implements policies that will drive investor confidence and boost investment.
In a new report, the Committee calls on the government to help the industry overcome the barriers that could hinder the development of the country’s marine renewable energy industry. It reflects concerns that the economic recession is impacting both investment in renewable energy as well as government attitudes towards support for renewables.
In the report the Committee voices concerns that other countries could overtake the UK in a repeat of wind turbine technology development 30 years ago.
“In the eighties the UK squandered the lead it had in wind power development and now Denmark has a large share of the worldwide market in turbine manufacturing,” said Tim Yeo MP, Chair of the Committee, which heard evidence from a range of technology developers, utilities and industrial companies. “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.”
In November 2011 the UK government said that it was setting out plans to boost investment in wave and tidal power but the Committee’s report shows that the industry still believes that obstacles to development such as investor confidence, policy uncertainty, public-private risk-sharing, improved grid connections and a fully skilled workforce remain. It believes that ambitious deployment targets could be set to help keep the industry on track.
“We are extremely well placed to lead the world in wave and tidal technologies, which could potentially bring significant benefits in manufacturing and jobs, as well an abundant supply of reliable low-carbon electricity,” said Yeo. “A more visionary approach from the Department of Energy and Climate Change could help to boost confidence and drive the pace of development.”
