Tories promise marine energy park ahead of UK election

At a Tory conference last week in Manchester, the MPs informed that they want to receive proposals for marine energy farms in the Westcountry. Ahead of next year’s general election, the party confirmed that they would commit £50 million to develop projects that build green energy technology.

The group underlined the importance of tapping tidal and wave power if the country wants to avoid blackouts in the future. Greg Clark, Shadow Energy and Climate Change Secretary, encouraged Westcountry MPs and economic bodies to start developing bids for energy projects.

If they won in 2010, the Tories promise to utilize the Marine Renewables Deployment Fund (MRDF) to build a network of marine farms that has direct connection to the UK’s power grids. Only more than £2.3 million have been used out from the barely touched MRDF, reflecting criticisms from marine energy companies who say that the funding application process is too difficult.

Meanwhile, Clark suggested that the marine energy farm should be constructed on the Kent coastline due to its close proximity to Europe. He informed that the UK could by now already leading the way in the region in utilizing tidal and wind energy, if the government had only financially supported such a plan a decade ago.

The marine energy summit was attended by important figures from the renewable energy sector, and representatives from the Kent County Council and the University of Kent. Clark, who was appointed in office just last year, also encouraged the government to have the same public discussions about the issue.