On The Crest Of A Wave – Wales Marine Energy Sector Takes Centre Stage At Ocean Energy Europe

Wales’ profile as a key international location for the development and deployment of marine energy devices and technologies will be promoted at a world-leading conference & exhibition in Brussels this week. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Welsh Government is exhibiting and leading a trade mission to Ocean Energy Europe 2016 (8-9 November) supporting nine highly innovative businesses and leading organisations in marine energy that will highlight developments under way in Wales and what Wales can offer this emerging industrial sector. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Delegates include: ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

• Mainstay Marine Energy Solutions (Pembroke Dock)
• Marine Energy Wales (Pembroke Dock)
• Marine Power Systems (Swansea)
• MarineSpace (Pembroke Dock)
• Morlais Energy (Anglesey)
• Mona Lifting (Anglesey)
• Nova Innovation (Pembroke Dock)
• Port of Milford Haven and
• Tidal Lagoon Power (Swansea).

Economy Secretary Ken Skates said: ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“The coastline of Wales with its immense wave and tidal resource and our deep sea ports, offer huge potential for marine energy generation and we are doing everything we can to harness and exploit that potential sustainably. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“We have two new wave and tidal current demonstration zones in Wales where a number of major programmes are planned that are creating international interest and offering opportunities for manufacturers, investors and the technology sector. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“The marine energy sector in Wales is backed by academic expertise, supported by a world class manufacturing base and a Government determined to lead the world in sustainable energy. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“It is this collaborative approach between the private and public sector in Wales that is proving to be particularly attractive for developers and companies like Minesto. This Swedish company has a Crown Estate license to develop its Deep Green tidal technology off the coast of Anglesey and is supported by £9.5m of EU funds. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Events like Ocean Energy Europe provide us with a great platform to highlight what is happening in Wales and the opportunities on offer.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Mr Skates also welcomed the launch of Marine Energy Wales (MEW) at Ocean Energy Europe. Marine Energy Wales is a progressive, new industry led collaboration that will enable Wales to play a leading role in this global industry. Building upon the success of Marine Energy Pembrokeshire, MEW aims to open up new opportunities for businesses, jobs and growth throughout Wales. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​