Bristol’s reputation as the UK’s green capital was underpinned this week when it became the launchpad for the UK’s first marine energy park.
The decision to designate an area stretching from Bristol through to Cornwall and as far as the Isles of Scilly as the South West Marine Energy Park places the region on the international map for leadership in marine renewable energy.
Climate Change Minister Greg Barker made the announcement on a visit to Bristol today where met key members of the new initiative.
The park will create a collaborative partnership in the region between national and local government, Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs), the Universities of Plymouth and Exeter and industry including Cornwall’s Wave Hub.
Bristol expertise, from researchers at the university to work being carried out at the National Composite Centre at the Bristol & Bath Science Park, will play key roles in the growth of the region's marine renewable sector.
Mr Barker said while the Government would play a role by investing in research and development, it would be up to the private sector to lead thhe inititiatve. The aim of the partnership will be to speed up the progress of marine power development.
The marine energy park could put the on-off Severn Barrage back on the agenda – the minister said he was not ruling out such a scheme but it had to be privately funded. The highly-controversial barrage has been discussed for decades but has never made it further than the drawing board.
Energy from the waves or tides has the potential to generate up to 27GW of power in the UK alone by 2050, equivalent to the power generated from 8 coal-fired power stations, as well as helping to reduce emissions to fight climate change.
That, in turn, could generate £4.5bn for the regional economy and create more than 5,000 jobs from 2020 onwards.
Mr Barker said: “This is a real milestone for the marine industry and for the South West region in securing its place in renewables history as the first official marine energy park. The South West can build on its existing unique mix of renewable energy resource and home-grown academic, technical and industrial expertise.
“Marine power has huge potential in the UK not just in contributing to a greener electricity supply and cutting emissions, but in supporting thousands of jobs in a sector worth a possible £15bn to the economy to 2050.
“The UK is already a world leader in wave and tidal power, so we should capitalise on this leadership to make marine power a real contender in the future energy market.”
Bristol City Council leader Barbara Janke, who attended today’s launch, added: “This is very good news for Bristol and the South West and further reinforces our international reputation as a hub for renewable energy in the UK. Being part of the first Marine Energy Park will support Bristol’s growing environmental technologies sector and help us attract further investment and jobs.”
