The Government have announced that they will offer 5 ROCs to the Marine Energy industry following a long parliamentary campaign spear-headed by local MP, George Eustice. This announcement puts England on a level playing field with Scotland in terms of the support offered.
Announcing the changes, Energy Minister Charles Hendry MP said, "We are providing appropriate support for innovative technologies that can play a long term role in our energy future, such as energy from wave and tidal streams".
Mr Eustice, who has persisted in raising the issue of comparative support levels with Ministers, including calling a parliamentary debate on the issue, said, "“This is excellent news for the marine energy industry in Cornwall. For years we have been at a disadvantage to Scotland who paid much higher subsidies to support this new technology. This Government has now put things right and created a level playing field.
Cornwall has much to offer including the best wave resource in the country and spare capacity on the grid. This announcement means we are now best placed to become a world-leading centre for Marine Energy.”
The Wave Hub is pictured off the coast of Hayle.