The offshore
marine energy project in Cornwall, which allows developers to test
new wave energy technology, will be taken on by the Government to
secure its future as a vital part of the UK's green
energy sources.
The Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) will take
over ownership of the Wave Hub asset from the South West Regional
Development Agency (RDA) on the 1 January 2012.
To manage the day-to-day operation of the testing facility on its
behalf, BIS has set up a stand-alone operating company, Wave Hub
Limited, which will be based in Hayle, Cornwall. This arrangement
will allow the project to build on the operational plans already
put in place by the RDA.
BIS and the RDA have been discussing the Wave Hub's
future since closure of the RDA was confirmed by the Government
last summer. BIS has always recognised Wave Hub's unique
position as a nationally-important asset to develop the
UK's capacity to generate energy through the power of
ocean waves.
Business Minister Mark Prisk said "As part of the
transition to a green economy the Government is committed to
developing clean energy sources including marine. Development of
the Wave Hub in Cornwall will bring both environmental and
economic benefits to the UK and I am pleased that we are able to
take this positive step today."
Claire Gibson has been confirmed as Wave Hub’s permanent General
Manager having acted in an interim capacity since May. She said:
"This is good news for Wave Hub, for Cornwall and the
South West and for the future of wave energy development across
the UK.
“It secures Wave Hub’s status as a publicly-owned asset, ensures
it will continue to be locally run, and reinforces the pivotal
role of Wave Hub and Cornwall to the development of a commercial
marine energy industry in the UK.
“I am delighted to be leading this important project and am
absolutely committed to ensuring Wave Hub is a success -
supporting companies to prove their technology and delivering
economic benefit for Cornwall. I look forward to welcoming our
first customer at Wave Hub in the near future.”
Notes to editors:
1. Wave Hub is a grid-connected offshore ‘socket’ in South West
England for the large scale testing of technologies that generate
electricity from the power of the waves.
2. The Wave Hub infrastructure was installed in 2010 about 16 km
off the North Cornwall coast with the undersea connecting cable
coming ashore at Hayle.
3. The Wave Hub operating company will assume responsibility from
the RDA for the safe and efficient operation of the testing
facility from 1 January 2012.
4. Further information about the Wave Hub project can be found at
http://www.wavehub.co.uk.
5. BIS's online newsroom contains the latest press
notices, speeches, as well as video and images for download. It
also features an up to date list of BIS press office contacts. See
http://www.bis.gov.uk/newsroom
for more information.
Contacts:
BIS Press Office
NDS.BIS@coi.gsi.gov.uk
Rebecca Murrell
Phone: 020 7215 6403
Rebecca.Murrell@bis.gsi.gov.uk