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RenewableUK welcomes launch of Wave Hub

6 September 2010

RenewableUK, the country's leading renewable energy trade association has welcomed today's launch of Wave Hub, a ground-breaking project by the South West Regional Development Agency to create the world's largest test-site for wave energy technology.

Wave Hub, which has been installed 16km off the Cornish coast, is a grid-connected socket that has been positioned on the seabed at a depth of 55m. The device has the capacity for four technology developers to connect 5MW of wave energy devices in real sea environments, without the additional burden of the costs of electrical subsea infrastructure.

Oliver Wragg, Wave and Tidal Development Manger at RenewableUK, said:

"This is a momentous occasion for the rapidly developing marine energy industry. Wave Hub is viewed as an integral infrastructure project both nationally and internationally, which will aid development of a new breed of technologies and allow us to harness clean green renewable energy from our coast, whilst facilitating the creation of thousands of jobs."

He added, "The UK has an abundance of wave and tidal resource on its doorstep. With the right support, the marine energy industry can play a pivotal role in achieving our renewable energy targets in 2020 and beyond."

A recent report estimated that the UK could harness up to 35GW of marine energy by 2050, representing over 20% of the country's current consumption.

Notes to Editors

  1. RenewableUK is the trade and professional body for the UK wind and marine renewables industries. Formed in 1978, and with 620 corporate members, RenewableUK is the leading renewable energy trade association in the UK. Wind has been the world's fastest growing renewable energy source for the last seven years, and this trend is expected to continue with falling costs of wind energy and the urgent international need to tackle CO2 emissions to prevent climate change.

  2. To see RenewableUK's recent marine energy report click here.

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For further information, please contact RenewableUK's press office: