Application of Policy Instruments for Regional Support of Marine Renewable Energy

Abstract

The potential future benefits of having a strong marine renewable energy (MRE) sector within a country or region are both well recognised and well documented (Kablan et al., 2012; Vantoch-Wood et al., 2012; PMSS, 2010). Several basic requirements are needed to commercialise MRE in coastal regions: • adequate primary resource within an economic distance from the shore; • accessible and available harbour facilities; • a practicable onshore high voltage connection (with available capacity); • an absence of any strongly prohibitive environmental sensitivity There are also many legal, economic and other social considerations, such as predominant marine spatial designations, public acceptability and regional political agendas, that need to be both understood and aligned correctly before project development justifies commercial pursuit. The many risks associated with these non-technical factors are multiplied when considering less mature MRE technologies such as wave, tidal and floating wind, and their higher associated costs (e.g. design liability, insurance, deployment). Additionally, remote and peripheral regions see complicating factors arise from a range of geographical limitations on accessibility, communications, skills/employment difficulties and other potentially problematic logistics (Trama TecnoAmbiental et al., 2012). Cumulatively, the hurdles associated with MRE commercialisation in remote and peripheral regions can be substantial. Opportunities for cost and risk reduction within the development and market growth stage can enable or block successful deployment. This paper identifies some of the opportunities for collaborative learning and cost reduction emerging from a two stage stakeholder consultation process carried out in Cornwall, UK and Finistère, France. This covers opportunities within the application of legal and regulatory compliance, innovation and business support policy, social and educational policy opportunities and the identification of specific technology areas that (from a non-technical perspective) present opportunities for collaboration and exploitation for mutual benefit, such as complementary assets or relative levels of technology maturity. It should be noted that the opportunities identified are not certainties. They have ‘potential’ in that if adopted they may reduce the overall non-technical hurdles (and therefore risk and cost as mentioned earlier) to commercialisation of MRE within both regions, and relative to being overcome separately. This is likely only if adequate funding, time and commitment is provided, and most likely with the leadership and support of key public sector bodies.