WOBO Governor David Gibson appreciated the update provided by Robin Whitlock in his article – Renewable Energy Magazine.

The cross-party Environmental Audit Committee has concluded its three month examination of tidal power technologies in the UK by urging government to engage with industry and establish appropriate revenue support for the emerging sector.

In a letter to Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng, the committee concluded that the UK has demonstrated world-leading technological development and that if the sector is supported to commercialise it could make a significant contribution the UK’s future energy mix, increase investment in coastal regions supporting the ‘levelling-up’ of the UK economy while also boosting the export potential of UK manufactured tidal turbines and associated supply chain.

“Tidal power can offer numerous benefits and potential for the UK, which boasts over 7,500 miles of coastline and unrivalled resources to generate reliable power supplies without the vagaries of sunlight or wind” said Environmental Audit Committee Chairman, Rt Hon Philip Dunne MP. “While we appreciate the Government’s concern about the potential initial cost to the taxpayer to support early-stage tidal stream and tidal range structures, the benefits outweigh the costs. Support for tidal stream is likely to lead to a rapid fall in generating costs similar to, if not steeper than, the fall experienced in offshore wind. Tidal range projects are relatively cheap to maintain once the initial costs are paid off, offering – in the longer term – a potentially affordable contribution to make to the UK’s renewable energy mix. It is clear that there is a strong current of interest in tidal power, with clusters set to thrive around the UK, if it is given Government backing. It is imperative that the Government fully considers the benefits of this reliable renewable energy and have constructive discussions with the sector.”