Marine Energy All-Party Parliamentary Group relaunches with Orkney and Shetland MP as Chair
Written by UK Marine Energy Council on .
The Marine Energy All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) today held its first full group meeting of the new Parliament. Chair Alistair Carmichael MP has been joined by Llinos Medi MP (Plaid Cymru, Ynys Mon), Harriet Cross MP (Conservative, Gordon and Buchan) and Torcuil Crichton MP (Labour, Na h-Eileanan an Iar) as officers of the group.
The UK has over 30GW of untapped marine energy potential, enough to provide a third of its currently electricity demand. This can be harnessed via installing tidal stream turbines and wave energy converters in its seas.
The APPG is focussed on realising that potential, promoting the economic, supply chain and energy security benefits from the development of marine energy resources. Its membership spans all four nations, MPs representing coastal communities and constituencies poised to benefit from marine energy through the creation of green jobs, supply chains, and growth.
The marine energy global export market is forecast to be worth over £70bn by 2050. With over 80% UK supply chain content going into projects currently being deployed, marine energy can play a key role in realising the Government’s ambition to make the UK a clean energy superpower. This requires a supportive and clear policy environment.
Today’s meeting brought together MPs and industry leaders from across the political spectrum to discuss the actions required during this Parliament to support the UK realising its marine energy potential, and the industry’s key asks of the Labour Government:
Setting a £30m tidal stream and a £5m wave energy ringfence in its next renewable auction.
Co-investing in marine energy projects via GB Energy.
Targeting 1GW of tidal stream and 300MW wave energy deployment by 2035.
Alistair Carmichael MP welcomed the re-establishment of the Marine Energy APPG:
“The UK has a rich marine energy resource and the necessary maritime engineering expertise to lead the world in harnessing the power of waves and tides. This requires government and industry working together to create an enabling policy environment that gets more projects in our waters.
“I am thrilled to be elected chair of the Marine Energy APPG and look forward to working with colleagues from all parties to deliver real progress during this parliament.”
For more information on the Marine Energy APPG please visit www.marineenergycouncil.co.uk/APPG.