Further to our February articles about exciting new developments in the UK’s marine energy industry, the government has just launched a new funding package worth £20 million. The Marine Energy Array Demonstrator scheme (MEAD) will enable organisations across the UK to bid for a share of the £20 million pot and invest it in developing existing wave and tidal energy technologies for commercialisation.

MEAD will see marine energy devices that have already been individually tested operate in array formation, so their potential for large-scale generation can be monitored over time. Up to two projects will be supported. Each must be able to generate up to 7GWh of electricity a year and include at least three individual devices. The government will announce the winning bids by the end of 2012 and is expecting the projects to be operational by April 2016.

Wilding says: ‘Another great example of the increasing recognition from politicians and renewables experts that wave and tidal energy will play an important part in our energy future. As an island with rich marine resources, it’s only right that we should make the most of them!’

Source: DECC