Study to assess coastline for marine energy potential

The Department of Energy and Climate Change plans to conduct a first-ever study to assess English and Welsh waters for their potential to host marine energy devices.

The study will seek to identify potential sites for wave, tidal-stream and tidal range technologies around the English and Welsh coastlines.

“The marine energy sector has reached a pivotal stage with more and more devices ready to go into the water,” said Lord Phil Hunt, Minister for Sustainable Development and Energy Innovation, in a speech before the British Wind Energy Agency. “The screening exercise in English and Welsh waters is a significant step forward in our plans to harness the power of our seas and secure a renewable and low carbon energy supply.”

The screening exercise will focus not only on the energy potential of marine energy devices but on the realistic timescale of when multiple devices could be installed and commissioned. This work will also build on data already gathered for the Offshore Energy SEA, the Welsh Marine Energy Strategic Plan and other studies.

The new programme excludes the Severn Estuary, where a feasibility study is already underway. Launched September 2007, the feasibility study for the Severn is assessing costs, benefits and impacts of a Severn tidal power project or projects to enable Government to decide whether or not to support a Severn tidal power scheme. A consultation on a proposed short-list of five schemes — including barrages and lagoons — for more detailed analysis this year has now closed and a Government response will follow this summer.