The Marine Energy Test Area (META), Wales’ national marine energy test center, has secured a one-year investment from The Crown Estate, which will help sustain its operations and support the development and testing of wave, tidal, floating offshore wind and offshore hydrogen components.
In addition to the financial support from Welsh Government, The Crown Estate’s investment will enable META to support further deployments, enhance marine data collection and environmental monitoring capabilities, strengthen supply chain growth and continue its program of community and education engagement across Pembrokeshire.
“This investment from The Crown Estate represents a significant vote of confidence in META and the role that real-sea testing facilities play in accelerating the marine energy sector. META is now a well-established part of the global test centre network, and this long-term support will allow us to continue providing vital infrastructure for technology developers and researchers," said META’s Test Site Manager Saul Young.
"This funding comes at a critical moment for META, Wales and for the whole of the UK, as we accelerate the development and deployment of net zero technologies, helping to meet our climate targets while strengthening energy security.”
META, the only pre-consented, pre-commercial test facility of its kind in Wales, is owned and operated by Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum (PCF).