In 2020, the UK is leading the world in the development of wave and tidal technologies based on our engineering prowess and excellent natural ocean resources. The IEA forecast that the global ocean energy industry will be worth £76 billion by 2050. Here in the UK, our tidal stream industry could generate a net cumulative benefit to the UK by of £1.4bn by 2020, including considerable exports and the creation of 4,000 jobs. Wave energy, which is at an earlier stage of development, has the potential to add a net positive contribution to the UK economy worth a cumulative benefit of £4.0bn and create 8,100 jobs by 2040.
Both tidal stream and wave energy have the potential to generate high quality, highly skilled jobs across the UK in maritime and peripheral regions including supply chain and local economic benefits. Hear from leading technology developers and Government on how we can secure this opportunity and support the growth of marine energy to help us reach Net Zero, grow our economy and ensure we deliver on our blue economy aspirations.
Chair: Sue Barr, Chair of UK Marine Energy Council, recipient of the SUT Lennard-Senior Award and OEE Vi Maris 2019.
Introduction:
● Paul Wheelhouse MSP, Minister for Energy Connectivity and the Islands, The Scottish Government
● Ken Skates MS, Minister for Economy and Transport and North Wales, The Welsh Government
Panelist:
● Oliver Wragg, Commercial Director, Orbital Marine Power
● Craig Frew, Leader Low Carbon Innovation Team, Scottish Government
● Helen Donovan, Industrial Transformation Division, Welsh Government
● Graham Foster, CTO, Marine Power Systems
● Sam Leighton, Managing Director, Bombora Wave Power
Panel discussion and audience Q&A
*Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Regen SW and Marine Energy Pembrokeshire: Marine Energy key steps to maintaining a Great British success story (2016).