UK marine energy parliamentary group relaunches to drive offshore renewables growth

The Marine Energy All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) has been relaunched under the new UK Parliament, with Orkney and Shetland member of parliament (MP) Alistair Carmichael as chair. 

Carmichael is joined by Llinos Medi MP, Harriet Cross MP, and Torcuil Crichton MP as officers, representing a cross-party initiative focused on advancing the UK’s marine energy potential.

The UK Marine Energy Council (MEC) noted that there is over 30 GW of untapped marine energy resources, enough to meet a third of the UK’s electricity demand. The APPG aims to unlock the economic and supply chain benefits that could stem from deploying tidal stream turbines and wave energy converters across UK waters.

According to MEC, the group’s formation reflects a growing political will to drive the UK’s ambition to become a clean energy superpower, with marine energy positioned to play a pivotal role. The global marine energy market is forecast to be worth over £70 billion (around $90,9 billion) by 2050. 

With 80% of UK supply chain content already embedded in current projects, APPG members are said to be focused on ensuring the sector benefits from a robust policy framework, supporting industry growth and job creation in coastal communities.

A key focus is securing government backing for marine energy, including setting a £30 million ringfence for tidal stream and a £5 million ringfence for wave energy in the next renewable auction, as well as co-investing in projects through GB Energy. 

According to MEC, the industry is also asking for 1 GW of tidal stream and 300 MW of wave energy deployment by 2035.

“The UK has a rich marine energy resource and the necessary maritime engineering expertise to lead the world in harnessing the power of waves and tides. This requires government and industry working together to create an enabling policy environment that gets more projects in our waters,” said Carmichael.

“I am thrilled to be elected chair of the Marine Energy APPG and look forward to working with colleagues from all parties to deliver real progress during this parliament.” 

In June, MEC outlined five key asks for the upcoming Government to realize the potential of wave and tidal energy, and embed UK content into projects deployed domestically and internationally.

According to research by Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult and Imperial College London (ICL), tidal energy has the potential to provide 11.5 GW to the UK energy system, 11% of the UK’s electricity demand, and tidal stream projects could contribute up to £17 billion to the UK economy by 2050.