Cornwall’s growing marine renewables sector receives £24m funding

A total investment package of £24m has now been raised to develop marine renewables in Cornwall. The funding has been used for developments aimed at further strengthening the county’s capability to support the sector and a new project is due to begin in June.

The new funding will be used to develop a marine renewable business park in Hayle, which will provide 2,500 sq miles of industrial and office space, creating 120 new jobs by 2020.

The new facility will accommodate companies at the forefront of marine renewables energy production, including development, deployment, servicing and maintenance of wave and floating wind power devices and the supply chain servicing the sector.

The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Cornwall council, the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) and the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) supported the investment package.

Julian German, the council’s cabinet member for economy and culture, said, “Cornwall is the natural home to marine renewables and the development of this site will help further strengthen our ability to deliver cutting edge technology in the sector.

“Cornwall is already able to offer access to world leading research institutions and facilities and the marine renewable park will further support business in this ever evolving sector.”

The business park will provide access to the Wave Hub, the world’s largest marine renewables test site connected to the grid. Both the business park and the Wave Hub have been described as “vital elements” of the Offshore Renewable Development Programme, which works to accelerate the commercial realisation of offshore renewable energy within Cornwall, Plymouth and the Isles of Scilly.

Chris Pomfret, deputy chair of the convergence local management committee, which steers the ERDF convergence programme, explained that by working with the supply chain to identify the requirements of the industry “we are creating something that is needed and going to help develop the industry”.

Photo: Loz Pycock via Flickr  

Further reading:

Cornwall and Plymouth welcome marine renewable energy investments

Offshore renewables projects ‘stepping stone’ habitats for marine wildlife

Scottish marine energy sector receive funding boost

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