The Crown Estate, manager of the UK seabed, announced today that it has agreed seabed rights for six new wave and tidal current demonstration zones, which will enable locally-based organisations to manage and sub-let parts of the seabed to a range of wave and tidal stream developers.
There are also five new wave and tidal current sites, each with the potential to deliver a project of between 10 and 30 MW.
Rob Hastings, director of energy and Infrastructure at The Crown Estate said: “By providing these additional seabed rights we are pleased to be enabling further technology development and commercialisation, which will be critical if the UK is to unlock its significant natural resources for wave and tidal current energy.”
The locations for the demonstration zones and project sites include three off the coast of England, four off the coast of Scotland, one in Northern Ireland and three off the coast of Wales.
UIK energy minister Greg Barker said: “Today’s announcement is a great step for the development of wave and tidal stream industries. Wave and tidal stream are growing green, clean energy sources which have the potential to sustain thousands of jobs in a sector worth, from exports alone, a possible £4bn per annum by 2050.
“The UK is already a world leader in wave and tidal stream energy. Today’s news will help the UK ensure these sectors reach their full potential in our country’s future energy mix”
The Crown Estate launched the wave and tidal current leasing process in October 2013 and these new demonstration zones are in areas specially chosen for their suitability for test and demonstration activities.
Lindsay Leask, of Scottish Renewables, said: “This announcement reinforces, yet again, the massive wave and tidal energy potential Scotland has. With the right level of support, Scotland can solidify its position as a world-leader in marine energy development and take advantage of the vast economic benefits that could accompany this.”