Don’t miss energy bonanza from Britannia ruling waves say MPs

At the moment the UK is leading the field internationally, with seven out of eight prototype devices for generating electricity from the tides or waves installed in British waters – including two in the Humber estuary.

MPs say the UK is well placed to lead on developing and exporting the technology – but it needs to avoid repeating the mistakes made with onshore wind in the 1980s, which has meant the hundreds of turbines now being installed across the country, are manufactured abroad.

The report by the Energy and Climate Change select committee says tidal energy could generate a fifth of the UK’s energy needs; employ up 10,000 people by the end of the decade, and as many as 68,000 by the mid century.

It warns that an “overly cautious approach may allow other countries to steal the UK’s lead”, highlighting that the UK was once a leader in wind turbines, but failed to establish a domestic manufacturing industry.

It urges the Government to simplify funding to support the development of “green” marine technologies.

The Government last year more than doubled the level of financial support for wave and tidal energy, but the report says there is a lack of certainty about what will happen after 2017.

The committee’s chairman, Tim Yeo, said: “Britannia really could rule the waves when it comes to marine renewable energy.

“We are extremely well placed to lead the world in wave and tidal technologies, which could potentially bring significant benefits in manufacturing and jobs, as well as an abundant supply of reliable low-carbon electricity.

“A more visionary approach from the Department of Energy and Climate Change could help boost confidence and drive the pace of development.”

The report comes just weeks after a privately-funded tidal power generator, called Neptune Proteus was towed into position near the Deep aquarium in Hull.

The developers want to install further commercial generators in the estuary, and say the Humber’s depth and tidal flow “makes it one of the best locations in British waters for tidal stream power.”

Mr Yeo said: “In the ’80s, the UK squandered the lead it had in wind power development and now Denmark has a large share of the worldwide market in turbine manufacturing. It should be a priority for the Government to ensure that the UK remains at the cutting edge of developments in this technology and does not allow our lead to slip.”

The Renewable Energy Association’s head of marine, Dr Stephanie Merry, said: “We are particularly keen to see the Government avoid repeating the mistakes it made with wind in the 1980s, when it missed out on the chance to seize a huge manufacturing opportunity which eventually went to Denmark.

“The report rightfully recognises the need to expand our skills base at the university level to unlock the huge potential for green jobs and growth in marine renewables.”

Caroline Flint MP, Labour’s Shadow Energy and Climate Change Secretary, said since the Coalition came into power, the UK had slipped from 3rd to 13th in the world for investment in green growth: “Marine energy can help make us less reliant on volatile fossil fuel prices and keep energy bills down, cut our carbon emissions and create new jobs and industries in the UK.

“But we need to move quickly and decisively to cement our advantage and stop this opportunity slipping through our fingers.”