A project to map offshore renewable energy potential around the coast of South West England was announced at yesterday’s (4th March 2010) RenewableUK Wave and Tidal conference in London, during an update from the RDA about its pioneering Wave Hub marine energy project in Cornwall.

The South West RDA (Regional Development Agency) has appointed renewable energy consultancy PMSS to lead the £100,000 study. It will examine the potential for wave, tidal and offshore wind installations up to 2030.

PMSS and the South West RDA will develop a marine geospatial database to help assess the capacity for the deployment of marine renewables to 2030. This tool will be used to engage with industry and key stakeholders, including the Finding Sanctuary marine protected areas partnership.

Claire Gibson, Director of Sustainable Resources at the South West RDA, said:

“The ability to deploy commercial installations is crucial to the development of the marine energy industry in the South West and this study will map the potential over the next 20 years.”

“It will provide data invaluable to the industry and will help ensure that marine renewables are given due consideration in future discussions about planning for the South West’s marine environment. This includes the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) for marine energy confirmed by the Government today, which we welcome. We have long championed the need for an SEA as an essential pre-cursor to licensing areas of sea for commercial development, and we look forward to its swift progress.”

PMSS, which has offices in Bath, is a leading consultancy in renewables with particular expertise in the marine environment, working on wave and tidal projects with companies such as Marine Current Turbines, Aquamarine Power, Atlantis Resources, Scottish Power Renewables and with the public sector.

Andrew Prior, Director of Environment at PMSS, said:

“As a company with offices in the South West of England, PMSS is delighted to be working with the South West RDA to support the deployment of marine renewables and boost the economy of the region."