 | 28 October 2014 |
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Planet CornwallYou are in: Cornwall > Planet Cornwall > Planet Cornwall > Wave Hub Goes Ahead  Wave Hub Goes AheadThe world’s largest wave farm planned off the coast of Cornwall has been approved for £21.5 million of funding generating £76 million over 25 years for the regional economy and creating at least 170 jobs. See the photos. The investment, which was agreed this week by the South West of England Regional Development Agency (RDA), means Wave Hub has the necessary £28 million needed to build it, subject to final Government and EU approval. The rest of the funding has already been secured. Wave Hub could be built as early as next summer if Ministers give it planning permission. A decision is expected by June.
Help playing audio/video The project is being promoted by the South West RDA and aims to put South West England at the forefront of emerging wave energy technology. It will provide a high voltage cable 10 miles out to sea and connected to the National Grid. Companies will be able to test their wave energy devices in a leased and consented area of sea on a scale never seen anywhere before.  Ocean Prospect - Pelamis tow Stephen Peacock, Executive Director of Enterprise and Innovation at the South West RDA said: “We are determined to see South West England leading the world in the development of wave energy technology and capturing the economic benefits that will flow from it. Wave Hub has the potential to make an enormous contribution to tackling climate change and we believe it could transform the wave technology industry.†The investment has been welcomed by Matthew Spencer, chief executive of Regen SW, the renewable energy agency for South West England. He said: “This is public sector investment at its best – taking the long view, taking risks the private sector can’t take, and making significant investment in the technology we need to tackle climate change. Wave hub will help make the UK the location of choice for companies developing wave energy, and should see British and overseas businesses making long term investments in Cornwall.â€
Tim German, director of the Cornwall Sustainable Energy Partnership, which has been focusing on the benefits of Wave Hub to Cornwall, said: “Wave Hub is a flagship project and this investment is very good news for South West England and particularly for Cornwall. Sustainable energy and carbon reduction will be the key to Cornwall’s 21st Century industrial revolution and the Wave Hub will become a major part of the county’s re-invention as a leader in innovation.†Maria McCaffery, CEO of BWEA, stated:"This pioneering project is crucial for the success of wave energy development, not just in the UK but around the world. These funds represent a strong signal of intent from the South West RDA to help Britain retain its lead in this rapidly emerging, and potentially huge, clean energy industry and we look forward to welcoming the necessary consent to build, so that momentum can be maintained for UK marine renewables."  Computer Generated image of wave hub Wave Hub could generate enough electricity for 7,500 homes, saving 24,300 tonnes of carbon dioxide every year when displacing fossil fuels. This would support South West England’s target for generating 15 per cent of the region’s power from renewable sources by 2010. Three wave energy companies are already working with the RDA to use Wave Hub, and a fourth will soon be selected. Today’s funding announcement coincides with the publication of an independent report into Wave Hub’s possible impact on surf conditions on parts of Cornwall’s coastline. To find out more about the Wave Hub visit: The Â鶹ԼÅÄ is not responsible for the content of external websites Dr Kerry Black, the New Zealand-based physical oceanographer, has concluded that the impact on wave height would be less than five per cent – or less than five centimetres off a metre-high wave. This is in line with the RDA’s own findings and far less than the 11 per cent feared previously by some surfers. last updated: 22/10/07 SEE ALSOYou are in: Cornwall > Planet Cornwall > Planet Cornwall > Wave Hub Goes Ahead |
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