New Marine Energy Taskforce launched with backing from The Crown Estate and Crown Estate Scotland

The Marine Energy Taskforce (MET) launched this week, tasked with developing a roadmap to realise the UK’s marine energy potential. The Energy Minister Michael Shanks MP was joined by members of the MET Core Group, including The Crown Estate and Crown Estate Scotland who confirmed funding for this critical 12-month project.

The UK has over 25GW and 11GW of accessible wave and tidal stream energy capacity respectively and projects are currently being deployed with over 80% UK supply chain content. The MET is a 12-month initiative that will explore what actions are required to realise the UK’s potential in a manner that maintains high levels of UK content. 

A recent report from the University of Edinburgh found that the UK could add £50bn to its economy and create over 90,000 jobs by leading the global marine energy market.

The MET will focus on four themes which are key to supporting marine energy sector development in the UK, namely: site development, financing, innovation, and supply chain growth. The MET Core Group will be supported to develop its recommendations by subgroups, bringing in expertise from across the renewable energy sector.

The Crown Estate, as part of the Great British Energy: The Crown Estate partnership, and Crown Estate Scotland will together fund the Taskforce, which brings together the UK, Welsh and Scottish Governments, key bodies including Mission Control and Great British Energy, as well as industry leaders, to develop a series of recommendations to address challenges and seize the marine energy opportunity.

The Marine Energy Council, the industry body for the UK’s tidal stream and wave energy sectors, will Chair and act as the secretariat for the group.

Energy Minister Michael Shanks MP, said: “With a coastline that stretches among the longest in Europe, it's time we finally deliver on our marine energy potential and put our waves and tides to work.

 “We will work closely with industry in breaking down barriers, unlocking investment, and kickstarting growth in our coastal communities, as we deliver clean homegrown power that we control.”

Mike Dobson, Head of New Energies at The Crown Estate, said: “There is significant potential around the UK’s coastline to capture the predictable nature of our tides and waves and harness them in support of the clean energy transition. We’re pleased to support the Government’s Marine Energy Taskforce to help accelerate the growth potential of this sector and explore the contribution it could make to the UK’s future energy mix, ensuring key information is considered as part of our Marine Delivery Routemap as we take a long-term view of seabed use out to 2050.”

Tom Mallows, Head of Offshore Development for Emerging Technology & Infrastructure at Crown Estate Scotland, said: "Crown Estate Scotland is pleased to support this Taskforce and grateful to partners for the focus it brings to the tidal stream and wave energy sectors in particular. As the organisation responsible for managing seabed rights around Scotland, we have a key role to play in supporting the sustainable development of offshore renewable power generation. Tidal stream and wave energy offer significant long-term potential if we take deliberate and co-ordinated action.  The Marine Energy Taskforce roadmap will help clarify what needs to be done to realise this potential."

Sue Bartlett-Reed, Chair of the Marine Energy Taskforce said: “The UK has the natural resource and maritime engineering expertise to lead the world in tidal stream and wave energy. The Taskforce is a critical initiative in providing a roadmap to realising that potential.

Marine energy projects are currently deployed with over 80% UK supply chain content spend. The Marine Energy Council’s ambition is to maintain high levels of UK content as the sector grows, and our waves and tides are harnessed.

I thank The Crown Estate, Crown Estate Scotland, and DESNZ for their support of the Taskforce.”