The UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has launched consultation on marine renewables such as floating wind to see how the government could support marine energy projects.
On 28 August, BEIS invited input from developers and other interested parties on how project costs could be reduced, environmental impacts minimised, and how supply chains are able to benefit in all parts of the UK.
The consultation period closes on 30 September, until when evidence can be submitted on the scope for innovative marine energy technologies across Great Britain, including floating offshore wind and wave and tidal energy.
“As an island nation we are perfectly placed to capitalise on clean marine energy, building on our world-leading position in offshore wind”, said the UK Secretary of State for Business and Energy Alok Sharma . “Examining how to make the most of our natural resources and support marine technologies that are cost-effective for the consumer will be crucial as we build back better, creating green jobs and reaching net zero emissions by 2050”.
The input from the consultation is intended to feed into the forthcoming energy white paper, according to BEIS.
The call for evidence comes after the recent consultation on the fourth round of the Contracts for Difference (CfD) auction, with this new consultation building on that work to provide the government with evidence to base its decisions on future support for marine renewables, BEIS said in a press release.
“Marine technologies could benefit every part of the UK. For example, tidal stream projects that harness the energy of tides could be suitable for the Highlands and Islands and North Wales, while floating offshore wind turbines could be suitable for deeper waters off the coast of Scotland, Wales and South West England” , the Energy Secretary Alok Sharma said.