North Wales Tidal Energy & Coastal Protection Co Ltd (NWTE) held its official launch at Porth Eirias on Friday. The company, based in St Asaph, is aiming to develop a world-leading integrated tidal energy and coastal protection scheme along the North Wales coast.
"The company's aims and objectives are clearly of real interest to many stakeholders along the coast" noted Eryl Vaughan, chief executive, NWTE. "We were delighted to welcome over 75 people to Friday's launch. At the launch we outlined our unique, science-led approach to the development of an integrated scheme that, designed and sited to fit local needs, will provide sustainable renewable energy and a defence against coastal flooding while boosting the local economy."
The launch was well attended by representatives from Welsh Government, Local Government, all four political parties, five Universities, Natural Resources Wales, Environmental Consultants, Contractors, Lawyers, Businesses and Charities.
Among a number of politicians attending was Local Assembly Member, Janet Finch-Saunders, who said:
“It’s vitally important as we move towards fulfilling our obligation to the climate change programme that we look at all kinds of technology and the tidal energy technology that’s been really well spoken about here today – it’s a positive move forward.”
Establishing the Company as a locally-led entity was emphasised at the launch, and Janet Finch-Saunders AM added:
“It’s actually quite refreshing that this is a North Wales project. This is a board of directors who are committed to taking the community with them and not working against them.”
During the launch, attendees were introduced to the Board of Directors who will take the Company forward. Llyr Huws Gruffudd AM said:
“It’s obvious there is a wide range of experiences and specialism within the board, and also a depth in knowledge and experience of dealing with large projects. The Welsh connections are strong and I think this is a good indication to ensuring that as much of the investment as possible stays within the local economy.”
With similar projects planned for South Wales, Professor Roger Falconer of Cardiff School of Engineering said:
“Wales has a huge opportunity to produce a large chunk of its base power from tidal renewable energy both in South Wales and in North Wales and I can’t think of another county in the world that has such an opportunity.”
Following a preparatory Technical Workshop in September, attended by many leading experts in marine ecology, geosciences and ocean sciences, NWTE identified the need to commission and coordinate a wide range of core research material. The company is pleased to confirm agreement in principle to collaborate with the School of Ocean Sciences (SOS), Bangor University, to gain a better understanding of the sea- and near-shore environment along the North Wales coast.
"With commercial and political interest in tidal impoundments and lagoons along our coast growing, it is imperative that we gain a proper understanding of the near-shore environment that will be impacted by any scheme that is proposed" said Eryl Vaughan, Chief Executive of NWTE. "One of the founding principles of NWTE is to use local resources and expertise wherever possible. The School of Ocean Sciences has a deservedly high reputation and we're delighted that they have agreed to work alongside NWTE to collect, analyse and interpret the data needed".
Dr Katrien Van Landeghem, a lecturer at SOS, specialises in understanding seafloor dynamics. Applied marine sciences is focussed at the Centre of Applied Marine Sciences (CAMS), with the SEACAMS project already actively engaging in collaborative research to investigate the impacts of tidal impoundments. Katrien added: "We are excited by NWTE's integrated approach to developing a scheme to deliver sustainable energy, coastal protection and economic development. Elements of the marine environment along the coast are currently poorly mapped and we very much look forward to working with NWTE to help gain a firm, science-led understanding of the key factors that will be involved in any discussion around the siting of a tidal impoundment. This will also allow objective analysis of the impact of a tidal impoundment on a wide range of scales, from the microscopic through to local site-specific aspects and across the region."
NWTE will now move forward with the project, and will be publishing an Information Memorandum for its first round of private investment in January 2015.
