§ Nick HarveyTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps she is taking to promote tidal energy; and what plans she has to increase investment in its further development. [187041]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienThe main form of support for all renewable technologies is the Renewables Obligation (RO) which provides a stable and long term market for renewable electricity. Electricity generation from both wave and tidal stream technologies is eligible for the RO.
However, these technologies are still at the developmental stage. Therefore the principal form of support to date has been through the DTI's Technology Programme that since 1997 has committed around £15 million towards the development of these technologies.
On 2 August the Government announced a further £50 million funding primarily focused on supporting the UK's marine renewables industry through the next phase of development of these technologies, which includes small scale demonstration and pre-commercial stages.
The Department is now working closely with the Carbon Trust, Scottish Executive and other stakeholders looking at mechanisms for applying the funding, subject to State Aid approval.
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§ Nick HarveyTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate she has made of the potential contribution to the UK's energy needs of tidal power. [187042]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienA study has been commissioned to provide a spatial quantification of renewable sources of energy—wave, tidal and offshore wind across the waters of the UK continental shelf. In addition to the spatial variation of these resources, temporal variations will also be assessed. This study (ATLAS) will assist in deciding which areas of the sea will next be subject to Strategic Environmental Assessment.
The first stage of the study which has just been completed provides information on the energy levels with a resolution of about 12 km. The second stage will involve the conversion of the raw energy potential into the amount of energy presently available. It will also allow higher resolution in specific areas such as through main channels. The study is expected in the autumn and we intend to publish it.
Additionally, there have been two previous studies1,2 which examined the potential tidal stream power resource in the UK. The later of those studies completed in 1996 under the EC JOULE-II energy research programme identified a total of 42 potential sites in UK waters with a combined annual output totalling some 31 TWh/yr which represents 8 per cent. of UK annual electricity demand in 2003.
1 Tidal Stream Energy Review ETSU T/05/00155, 19932 Marine Currents Energy Extraction: Resource Assessment, Final Report, EU-Joule contract JOU2-CT93–00355, 1995