A new industry-led Marine Energy Task Force has been established to unlock the UK’s full potential in tidal and wave technologies.
Michael Shanks MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, confirmed the task force’s formation at the Marine Energy Wales (MEW) Conference. Minister Shanks emphasized the growing significance of marine energy in Wales, which has already attracted £292 million in investment.
As stated, the new task force will unite industry leaders to identify barriers to deployment, assess required investments and develop a strategic roadmap to advance marine energy across the UK.
Furthermore, the task force’s findings will be published by the Marine Energy Council and presented to the government to inform future policy and support. This initiative aligns with the UK Government’s broader goal to scale up clean energy and stimulate regional growth.
Minister Shanks also expressed support for floating offshore wind, with the Celtic Sea leasing Round 5 now entering its final stages. This round could deploy up to 4.5 GW of capacity, potentially adding £1.4 billion to the UK economy and creating over 5,000 jobs.
Tidal stream energy remains a top priority, with over 130 MW of capacity expected by 2029, largely driven by success in recent Contracts for Difference (CfD) rounds.
