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Two major advances that will help the Welsh Assembly Government meet its renewable energy aspirations by creating renewable energy from the sea have been announced by Environment Minister, Jane Davidson.
The Minister spoke at the Marine Energy Pembrokeshire Industry Seminar and announced the completion of a three year project that has mapped the marine energy resources contained within Welsh waters.
The project - entitled the Marine Renewable Energy Strategic Framework (MRESF) – has resulted in five groundbreaking and detailed reports on marine development. The reports cover key environmental issues such as the potential risk of fish colliding with wave or tidal devices.
The project has also seen the development of an innovative and interactive mapping system that illustrates the energy resource in Welsh waters and the various levels of restraints that might obstruct marine development in certain locations.
The findings show that even when the various environmental and technological constraints are taken into account, there is still the potential for Welsh waters to produce enough energy to power up to two million homes per year.
The Minister said: "Wales is fortunate to have over 1,200 kilometres of coastline with significant marine-energy, extensive port facilities, a strong manufacturing and energy sector tradition and a Government that is determined to maximise green energy and green jobs.
"The MRESF study has shown the huge energy potential that lies within our seas and has provided some genuinely useful guidance that will aid energy developers in their efforts to harness sea power."
The Minister also announced that the Welsh Assembly Government and The Crown Estates have formalised their intention to work together to support Wales' capacity for marine energy manufacturing and would jointly sign a letter of intent.
This is the first agreement of its kind between The Crown Estate, the body that owns the seabed around the UK, and a Devolved Administration. It will ensure that deployment of marine renewable energy devices is not delayed by infrastructure requirements at ports in Wales, and will see The Crown Estate using their knowledge and expertise to assist Welsh ports in realising their potential.
(CD/KMcA)
