Two articles

1.  Agencies sign Memorandum of Understanding as they seek to accelerate development of regions’ nascent marine energy industry

Development agencies Marine Energy Wales and Marine Hub Cornwall have this week signed an agreement that will see them collaborate to accelerate the development of the UK’s fledgling wave and tidal energy sector.

The two organisations announced yesterday that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to work together on areas of common interest and their knowledge and expertise.

“Our draft Welsh National Marine Plan highlights the need to join up with neighbouring regions, including the South West of England, to identify future opportunities and potential issues,” said Welsh Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Mark Drakeford. “By working together we can help achieve our shared vision of clean, healthy, safe, productive and biologically diverse seas, creating sustainable economic benefits for both regions.” The move was similarly welcomed by Bob Egerton, Cornwall Council Portfolio Holder for Planning and Economy, who said the agreement would deliver “big advantages for both organisations”.

“Given our close proximity in geographical terms and the fact that we are each exploring similar areas of technology, there are great benefits to be achieved by working more closely together,” he said. “This collaboration could help both Cornwall and Wales to compete more effectively on the world stage and to bring new technologies to market more quickly, in an industry that has a vital role to play in each of our local economies.

 2.  ORE Catapult research finds development of wave and tidal stream energy in UK could boost jobs while cutting costs and emissions

The UK’s nascent tidal stream and wave power industries have the potential to deliver billions of pounds in economic benefits while helping to cut CO2, a new report by the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult has found.

The tidal stream industry alone could generate a net cumulative benefit to the UK of £1.4bn “including considerable exports”, the report estimates, as well as supporting up to 4,000 jobs by 2030.

And, assuming a 10-year lag behind the more developed tidal stream sector, wave energy could additionally add a net positive contribution to the UK economy of £4bn while supporting around 8,100 jobs by 2040, according to the research.

The report, which was published yesterday, argues the UK’s marine energy industries are therefore capable of passing the government’s stipulated ‘Triple Test’ for determining support for new clean energy technologies.

As established in last year’s Clean Growth Strategy, the government has said that in order to secure its support, new renewable energy technologies must show they can achieve maximum carbon reduction, show a clear cost reduction pathway, and demonstrate the UK can be a world-leader in a sizeable global market.

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