PRESS RELEASE

Offshore energy partnership kicks off with Tidal Energy Forum

26 November 2011

Bristol City Council and Regen SW have launched their new partnership to cement Bristol’s position as a leading centre for offshore renewable energy by holding an inaugural Tidal Energy Forum at Bristol Port Company's offices at Avonmouth.

The forum brought together leading representatives from the tidal energy industry to discuss the future development of the tidal energy sector and the opportunity for Bristol to enhance its position as a centre for tidal energy research and technology development.

Bristol City Council Leader Barbara Janke said: "Bristol has a growing international reputation as a base for the renewable energy sector, attracting companies such as Vestas and LICenergy over the last year. It is therefore the right move for us to form this tidal energy partnership. We have the expertise, the natural resources and the ambitions to make Bristol and the South West the hub for offshore renewable energy in the UK."

Merlin Hyman, Chief Executive of Regen commented: "Renewable energy is one of the fastest growing sectors of the economy creating huge opportunities for business. This new partnership will enable us to work with Bristol City Council on our mission to support pioneering renewable energy projects with thriving local supply chains.”

As well as hearing about the huge potential energy resources which could be harnessed in the Bristol channel, the industry delegates heard presentations from leading technology developers and industry experts including; Tidal Energy Limited, Pulse Tidal, Marine Current Turbines, Parsons Brinkerhoff, Bristol University and Garrad Hassan. Highlights included the very exciting plans outlined by Martin Murphy, MD of Tidal Energy Limited, to deploy a 1.2 MW demonstration tidal turbine at a high energy site in Ramsey Sound, and the equally ambitions plans to deploy Pulse Tidal’s latest technology at a test site off North Devon.

Overall the forum concluded that while Bristol is already recognised as a centre for technology development, more could be done to promote the commercialisation of the industry. The call for action included support for collaborative research, identifying demonstration and early deployment sites for tidal technologies and crucially working together with other regional partners in Wales, Cornwall and across the South West.

The forum is the first in a programme of activities designed to raise Bristol’s profile in the booming offshore renewable energy sector.
Regen SW will also be working with Bristol City Council and the West of England LEP to support innovation and technology development, help regional businesses to win work in the supply chain and to attract inward investment. Regen SW will also be helping Bristol to build relationships and collaborate with national bodies and with other regions in the UK including other centres for offshore renewable energy in Cornwall, Plymouth and in Wales.

Bristol City Council will be taking a stand at the International Tidal Energy Summit to be held in London on 22 and 23rd November. This conference is expected to attract over 200 businesses and will be another opportunity to highlight Bristol’s special position as a natural meeting point between technology developers, academia, industry and the service sector.

-  ENDS  -

Note to editors

About Regen SW
Regen SW is a not for profit company working to enable business, local authorities and other organisations to deliver renewable energy and energy efficiency and build a prosperous low-carbon economy in the south west of England. www.regensw.co.uk

Issued by Bristol City Council press office on 0117 922 3332

Regen SW can be contacted on 01392 494 399