Secretary of State welcomes £3m marine energy contract
22 Feb 11
Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Chris Huhne
today welcomed a £3 million marine renewable energy contract
between Aquamarine Power and Falmouth-based marine drilling
specialists Fugro Seacore (Seacore).
The contract is to install the foundation system for our
next-generation wave energy device, known as Oyster 800, which will
be installed in Orkney this summer.
Mr Huhne welcomed the contract on a visit to the Falmouth firm,
where he enjoyed a tour of Seacore's facilities and witnessed our
CEO Martin McAdam and Seacore's Managing Director Bob Jenkins
officially sign the deal.
"This is good news for the British marine energy sector - from
here in Falmouth to Orkney where the Oyster device will be
deployed," Mr Huhne said.
Installation of Oyster 800
Seacore will commence drilling and installation of steel piles
for three Oyster devices this summer at Billia Croo near Stromness
in Orkney. Seacore previously installed the piles for our Oyster 1,
also at Billia Croo, which was installed in 2009.
We will install a single Oyster 800 device this summer with
a further two devices to be put in place in 2012. Together the
three Oyster devices will form a 2.4MW array connected to a
single onshore generating plant.
The news follows the announcement in December of £11 million new
investment in Aquamarine Power by multi-national power company ABB
and other investors.
Commenting on the new contract, Secretary of State for Energy
and Climate Change Chris Huhne said:
"Our island has a tremendous marine energy resource and we
already have a lead in the technology. Now the challenge is
to see it deployed commercially.
Sure-fire insurance policy with big economic dividend
"As we face oil prices beyond $100 a barrel and the clearest
evidence yet of the physical dangers to the UK of manmade climate
change, innovations such as the Oyster are the sure-fire insurance
policy with a big economic dividend.
"Marine energy has the potential to sustain growth, quality
employment and skills in the South West and the UK's wider,
fast-developing low carbon economy. The Coalition is
determined to ensure this potential is realised."
Martin McAdam, our Chief Executive Officer said:
"This deal shows that a thriving marine energy sector has the
potential to offered skilled jobs and economic opportunity the
length of the UK. Fugro Seacore is an international company with
the capacity to expand into marine renewables.
Capitalising on our global lead
"The goal for the UK is to capitalise on our existing global
lead in marine energy and deliver the first commercial arrays
within the next five years. This will require support on a number
of fronts but offers the promise of a world-leading, export-led
green industrial sector."
Bob Jenkins, Managing Director of Fugro Seacore, said:
"Seacore worked with Aquamarine Power on the installation of its
first Oyster device and we are very much looking forward to being
involved in the second Oyster project. Oyster is a very
exciting new technology and we are very proud to be involved in the
early stages of its development."