South West makes splash as first Marine Energy Park
The UK's first Marine Energy Park is to be created in the South West, giving the region a leading international role in the development of marine renewable energy.
GAIN partners Plymouth City Council and Cornwall Council commissioned Regen SW to develop the South West Marine Energy Park, including a new marine energy prospectus.
It aims to bring together business and research and attract investment to accelerate the commercialisation of marine industry in a sector estimated to be worth over £70 billion to the UK economy by 2050.
The announcement, which was made by Climate Change Minister Greg Barker, paves the way for a collaboration that will create the most extensive clustering of activities of its type in the world.
Over the past seven years more than £100 million has been invested in the marine energy industry in the South West, creating world leading research and demonstration facilities.
This includes Plymouth University's £19 million Marine Sciences Building currently taking shape in Plymouth. Part of GAIN, it will offer some of the most advanced tank testing facilities in Europe and be aimed at marine energy device developers.
Other assets in the marine energy park include Cornwall's Wave Hub, the FabTest nursery site at Falmouth, global-leading research facilities at Plymouth and Exeter universities and the National Composites Centre at Bristol.
Plymouth City Council Leader Vivien Pengelly said: "The opportunity for growth and increased commercialisation in marine renewable energy, which underpins the ethos of the South West Marine Energy Park, represents a major opportunity to help Plymouth's economy generate investment and jobs.
"Plymouth has world-class research and development expertise in this field along with a strong marine business base and advanced manufacturing sector. We look forward to working closely with our private and public sector partners to make the South West Marine Energy Park a success."
The project also has the support of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership and the Heart of the South West LEP.
Download a copy of the prospectus below.
