Energy
In recent years, there has been a sea-change in thinking on energy policy in South West England and beyond. A growing recognition that fossil fuels (oil, gas and coal) contribute to global warming and a range of other environmental ills as well as the political and economic instability of key producer countries has increased pressure on policy makers to search for new alternatives and reduce. Guided by international and EU level commitments such as the Kyoto Protocol and the Renewables Obligation, this has given new impetus to the development of renewable energies (RE) and energy efficient technologies in South West England.
As a peninsular Region with many natural resources to be harnessed, the South West is well placed to spearhead the development of RE as a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to fossil fuels and to make a significant contribution to tackling climate change. The Region has high levels of wave, wind, hydro and solar energy and the best climate in the UK for growing energy crops. In order to unfold this potential the
The South West Renewable Energy Strategy was launched in April 2003 to coordinate the development of RE in the Region for the next decade and beyond. Key priorities identified in the Framework are:
- the development of wind, wave and solar power
- promoting the link between RE and economic advantage
- the use of education to promote awareness of renewables.
REGEN SW, a not-for-profit company representing both the private and public sector, has been set up to assist with the delivery of the RE Framework. The South West has a track record of developing 'firsts' in renewable energy, the UK’s first commercial wind farm and the first UK scheme to harness electricity from fermented farm and food waste among others.
The groundbreaking Wave Hub Project is the highest profile sustainable energy project currently underway in the South West and aims to create the UK's first offshore facility for the demonstration and proving of the operation of arrays of wave energy generation device in the coast of Hayle, in North Cornwall. Approval for the project was granted in September 2007 and funding negotiations were completed in July 2009. Installation of the sub-sea cable should take place in summer 2010 and Wave Hub expects to welcome the first wave energy devices in 2011.
