Marine Energy Wales sets up ‘Road to COP26’ initiative

The representative body for Welsh marine energy industry Marine Energy Wales has launched the ‘Road to COP26’ initiative to showcase the emerging offshore renewable energy industry in Wales and highlight the contribution the sector can make to net-zero.

The ‘Road to Cop26’ initiative aims to demonstrate the sector’s capability and ambition to align with the goals of COP26, by engaging and participating in a series of targeted events and activities in the lead up to COP26, which opens on 31 October 2021.

The initiative will serve in highlighting how the Marine Energy Sector in Wales can deliver on climate change targets.

The ‘Road to COP26’ presents a platform to showcase the members within Marine Energy Wales and the emerging marine energy technology that forms a key part of the output.

Whilst the organisation is based and operates within Wales, this initiative will also demonstrate the international reach and relations of Marine Energy Wales, an important component towards a collaborative approach that COP26 is promoting.

Jess Hooper, programme manager at Marine Energy Wales, said: “With our vision to create a thriving and diverse Marine Energy Industry in Wales, whilst making a significant contribution to a low carbon economy, it was a naturally progressive decision to design an engagement initiative that centred around the objectives of COP26. The very nature of our work is inextricably focussed on securing net zero and keeping 1.5 degrees within reach”.

Marine Energy Wales is involved with numerous marine renewable energy technology development projects, but in particular, the Selkie project – a €4.2m cross-border project aiming to boost the marine energy industry in Wales and Ireland.

The project serves as a shining example of the collaborative approach needed in order for countries to pull together to address the pressing issues of climate change brought about by carbon emissions. 

Jimmy Murphy, Selkie project coordinator, noted: “A key goal of the Selkie project is to demonstrate the benefit of cross-border, cross institute collaboration, and to show that this is essential for the development of the marine renewable energy industry.

“It increases knowledge transfer, improves the innovative capabilities of SMEs, prioritises networking and it is clear from the high levels of investment in this sector, on both sides of the Irish Sea, that this is a priority for the region.

“Marine Energy Wales’ knowledge and experience in dissemination and communication has been successfully employed in the Selkie project and has been beneficial to both the academic and industry communities in Ireland and Wales”.

The outline of the ‘Road to COP26′ initiative will be to inviting members and stakeholders of Marine Energy Wales to support COP26 by committing to participate in 26 activities/events between now and the end November.