Offshore energy set to give UK global lead

Development of the UK’s tidal stream and wave power industries stand to provide a significant boost to the jobs market and national economy in the coming decades, according to a report from the nation’s leading technology innovation and research centre for offshore renewable energy.

Tidal stream industry

The study by Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult estimated the tidal stream industry could support 4,000 jobs by 2030 and generate £1.4 billion for the UK economy. Ten years later, the report said, wave energy could be contributing £4 billion to the UK economy and support 8,100 jobs.According to ORE Catapult, the study proved that the country’s marine energy industries could meet the government’s three-point test to reduce carbon emissions, cut costs and put the UK on the path to becoming a global leader in the technology.But on the last point, the report said that, without government support to enable companies to develop and showcase their expertise, there was a “very real danger” the UK could lose its global lead to other countries as international competition in the field grows.Dr Stephen Wyatt, ORE Catapult’s research and innovation director, said, “The findings of our research are encouraging, with the potential for significant economic benefits to be realised from the UK marine energy resources.“We will now continue our work with the tidal stream and wave energy industries, as well as relevant government departments, to discuss these findings and establish the best way forward for future support that will enable the UK to capture such advantage, in terms of growing our economy, creating jobs and exporting goods and services all over the world.”

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The study showed that 22 tidal stream technology developers were currently active in the UK, with tidal stream array deployments now in place or under construction in Scotland by Atlantis at the Meygen site at Pentland Firth and Nova Innovation in Shetland.Wave energy, the report added, was still at a technology development stage where several different concepts were being developed.

Continuing to generate renewable energy

Hannah Smith, senior policy manager at Scottish Renewables, said, “This landmark report clearly demonstrates the enormous potential of our wave and tidal energy industries – should they be able to access the right support from government.“This report shows that with even modest global deployment the sector could rapidly reduce its costs, drive economic growth in rural communities and export around the world.“We now need government and industry to work together to enable projects to come forward, capture learning from projects and deliver the benefits of wave and tidal technologies.”A spokesman for the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy said, “This government has put clean growth at the heart of our modern industrial strategy and is providing up to £557 million of funding for clean electricity projects - at a pivotal time when the renewable energy sector is thriving and powering our nation.“We are reducing emissions while minimising the cost to consumers and we always consider the costs versus benefits of any renewable technology.”For related news and features, visit our Enterprise section. Find out more about our upcoming Relocate Awards. Relocate’s new Global Mobility Toolkit provides free information, practical advice and support for HR, global mobility managers and global teams operating overseas.Access hundreds of global services and suppliers in our Online Directory

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