Cornwall launches marine renewables roadmap

Cornwall has launched Marine Renewable Energy Roadmap outlining the necessary steps to be taken for the commercialization of marine energy over the next 10 years.

The roadmap sets out how the public and private sector can work together to advance offshore and marine energy sector.

According to the roadmap, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly need to invest in the following themes to achieve commercialization by 2025:

• research, development and innovation (RD&I) – supporting industry led R&D with local Universities and HE Colleges,
• demonstration and pre-commercializaton – encourge pre-commercial array scale and the development of commercial scale projects,
• commercializaton and market develpment – identifying suitable funding mechanisms to de-risk private sector investment.

The roadmap also outlines a commitment to growing Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly’s Green and Marine Sector by supporting the creation of a minimum of 100 new businesses and 700 high-value jobs, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly LEP’s press release reads.

The region will also increase engagement with key marine related organisations and work with the sector to shape EU funding.

According to the roadmap, MRE development in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly is a long term investment, and building on the existing GBP 100 mln invested so far is necessary.

George Eustice, Minister of State for DEFRA, said: “It’s really encouraging to see that Cornwall Council, the Council of the Isles of Scilly and LEP have come to together to produce a document that clearly lays out its ambitions in this emerging sector.

“I have long been a supporter of the marine renewables industry in the region and will continue to be championing the role marine renewables has to play in the renewables mix as we seek to drive growth in the UK’s renewable sector.”

The roadmap has been signed by representatives from the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership (C&IoS LEP), Cornwall Council, Council of the Isles of Scilly, Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult and South West Marine Energy Park (SWMEP).

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Image: WaveHub/Illustration/Seatricity’s Oceanus WEC