The huge potential energy resources which could be harnessed in the Bristol Channel have come under the spotlight at a tidal energy forum organised by Bristol City Council and Regen SW who have launched a partnership to ensure the city’s position as a leading centre for offshore renewable energy.
The forum, held at Bristol Port Company’s Avonmouth offices, heard presentations from leading technology developers and industry experts including Bristol-based firms Marine Current Turbines and Garrad Hassan, Parsons Brinkerhoff, which has a major office in the city, Bristol University, and Tidal Energy, based in Cardiff, and Sheffield-based Pulse Tidal.
Highlights included plans outlined by Martin Murphy, managing director of Tidal Energy, to deploy a 1.2MW demonstration tidal turbine at a high-energy site in Ramsey Sound, Pembrokeshire, and the equally ambitious plans to deploy Pulse Tidal’s latest technology at a test site off North Devon.
The forum concluded that while Bristol is already recognised as a centre for technology development, more could be done to promote the commercialisation of the industry. The call for action included support for collaborative research, identifying demonstration and early deployment sites for tidal technologies and crucially working together with other regional partners in Wales, Cornwall and across the South West.
Bristol City Council leader Barbara Janke said: “Bristol has a growing international reputation as a base for the renewable energy sector, attracting companies such as Vestas and LICenergy over the past year. It is, therefore, the right move for us to form this tidal energy partnership. We have the expertise, the natural resources and the ambitions to make Bristol and the South West the hub for offshore renewable energy in the UK.”
Regen SW chief executive Merlin Hyman added: “Renewable energy is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the economy creating huge opportunities for business. This new partnership will enable us to work with Bristol City Council on our mission to support pioneering renewable energy projects with thriving local supply chains.”
The forum is the first in a programme of activities designed to raise Bristol’s profile in the booming offshore renewable energy sector. Regen SW will also be working with Bristol the council and the West of England LEP to support innovation and technology development, help regional businesses to win work in the supply chain and to attract inward investment.
Bristol City Council will be taking a stand at the International Tidal Energy Summit in London on November 22 and 23 – an event expected to attract more than 200 businesses. The council’s aim will be to highlight Bristol’s special position as a natural meeting point between technology developers, academia, industry and the service sector.
For an overview of the sector go to www.regensw.co.uk
