Marine Energy Taskforce enters second phase following Cardiff update

Since being launched by the UK Energy Minister Michael Shanks in June, the MET has undertaken a deep dive into the opportunities and barriers to harnessing the power of the UK’s waves and tides. The MET is seeking to map out how this can be achieved in a manner that retains high levels of UK content in projects deployed here and around the world.

The Marine Energy Council, the industry body for the UK’s tidal stream and wave energy industries, is overseeing the MET and delivery of the roadmap, and working closely with the UK Government and devolved administrations to ensure its recommendations are actionable.

Tidal stream projects are currently being deployed with over 80% UK supply chain content spend. With over 30GW tidal stream and wave energy potential, marine energy technologies can be a key contributor to green economic growth and support the UK becoming a Clean Energy Superpower.

Funded by The Crown Estate and Crown Estate Scotland, the second meeting of the Core Group took place in Cardiff. The meeting was an opportunity to take stock on progress to date, the initial recommendations that are being considered, and to agree areas of priority during the second phase of the MET.

Sue Bartlett-Reed, Chair of the Marine Energy Taskforce, said:

“The MET has garnered significant interest since its launch, both across the UK and internationally. The UK has the natural resource, maritime expertise and supply chains to lead the world in marine energy.”

“Realising the UK’s marine energy potential is strongly aligned with the UK Government’s economic growth and Clean Energy Superpower ambitions. This is evidenced by Proteus Marine Renewables deploying its British designed, manufactured and exported turbine in Japan in the Naru Strait earlier this year.

“This can be the beginning of a thriving industry in which the UK can lead the world. The MET has been established to support that ambition, and create green opportunities in our coastal communities and beyond.”

During the first phase the MET established four work programmes

• Finance – led by Andrew Scott, CEO of Orbital Marine Power, and Anders Jansson, Business Development Manager, CorPower Ocean.

• Supply Chain – led by Simon Forrest, CEO, Nova Innovation and Tom Hutchinson, Director of Product and Services, Proteus Marine Renewables.

• Site Development – led by Neil Kermode, Associate, European Marine Energy Centre, Andy Billcliff, Chief Executive, Menter Môn Morlais.

• Innovation – led by Professor Henry Jeffrey, UK Representative, International Energy Agency and Jonathan Hodges, Managing Director, Wave Energy Scotland.

During the first phase the MET received over 100 submissions, engaged 100+ stakeholders from across the energy industry and UK supply chain, and held set piece events with the Global Underwater Hub in Aberdeen and at Seanergy in Paris.

The Crown Estate hosted the second Core Group Meeting at its offices in Cardiff. Wales has over 6GW of marine energy potential, and is home to Morlais, a first of its kind site that will see 38MW of tidal stream capacity deployed in Anglesey’s seas in the coming years.   

Mike Dobson, New Energies Portfolio Manager at The Crown Estate, said:

“We enjoyed hosting the Taskforce at our offices in Cardiff to continue important discussions about accelerating the growth potential of this sector. Wales has significant marine energy potential which could be harnessed through its tides and waves, including at Morlais in Anglesey where we’re delighted to see such an exciting project making continued progress towards its goals.

“During our meeting, it was valuable to take stock of progress so far and consider initial recommendations put forward by the Taskforce, ensuring they align with the purpose of this important initiative. We look forward to our next meeting in February hosted by colleagues in Scotland.”

The next Core Group meeting will take place in Edinburgh in February, prior to the publication of the roadmap and MET recommendations in June 2026.