The renewable marine energy industry has already had a positive effect on the "Low Carbon Economy" in Wales, providing green jobs and growth in a challenging economic climate. This according to the MEP report that was recently presented at the Marine Energy Pembrokeshire Annual Industry Seminar. The report concludes that technology and project developers to date have spent £34,5 million on marine energy projects in Wales, helping to create over 174 person years of employment. The MEP report argues that the Welsh supply chain has been involved in this new sector at levels of almost 50 percent for tidal stream and 60 percent for wave energy.
Nordic marine energy technology company Minesto, is one of many actors mentioned in the report. The company is currently preparing a consent application for a site near Holyhead Island in Wales prior to a planned construction of a 10MW marine energy array in 2017, which will supply electricity to equivalent of the needs of 8,000 households.
"The conclusions in this report strengthens the argument for marine energy in Wales," said Anders Jansson, CEO, Minesto. "To highlight the industry it is important to point out the positive factors green investments can have for the society. Looking at the site we are preparing in Holyhead Island, we foresee job opportunities for more than 30 people".
In July 2014 Minesto was awarded an 'Agreement for Lease' for a commercial demonstration site for electricity production from tidal currents near Holyhead Island in Wales. Minesto's tidal power plant, called Deep Green, looks like an underwater kite and is based on a fundamentally new principle for electricity generation from tidal and ocean currents. Deep Green is the only proven marine power plant to generate electricity from low velocity tidal currents, which greatly enhances the potential for marine energy. Deep Green have now been producing electricity for almost two years in the waters off Northern Ireland, which is seen as a break-through for the entire renewable energy industry.
"I am convinced that the potential positive impact on the Welsh economy in the long run can be even greater than the report suggests. Wales have the best tidal resource in Europe, and Minesto provides a sustainable way to make the most of this natural advantage", Anders Jansson said.
MEP is a partnership between technology developers, the supply chain, academia and the public sector working together to establish Pembrokeshire, Wales as a "centre of excellence" for sustainable marine energy generation. MEPs funders are the Welsh government, the Crown Estate, Port of Milford Haven-Pembroke Port and the Pembrokeshire County Council.
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