As an organisation with extensive involvement in many of the UK's major offshore energy developments, Royal Haskoning welcomes the announcement as a signal of increased collaboration between government, developers and supporting organisations.
Adam Pharaoh, who leads the Exeter renewable energy team for Royal Haskoning said: “This announcement will bring about a welcome development focus on the amazing wave and tidal resources we have here in the South west of England.
“The partnerships it will create between government and enterprise, and those involved in research and development, will hopefully mean consenting, construction and installation processes become easier. This will enable the swift deployment of wave and tidal arrays around the south west coastline and provide additional backing for research and development going forward."
Royal Haskoning is involved in 11 offshore wind farms and 6 major tidal and wave power projects around the UK, including Marine Current Turbines' pioneering Seaflow project in the Bristol Channel and their flagship Seagen project in Northern Ireland. Responsible for the highly acclaimed environmental impact assessment (EIA) for SeaGen on behalf of Bristol based Marine Current Turbines, and impact assessments for ten tidal turbines at the Sound of Islay on behalf of Scottish Renewables, Royal Haskoning has been involved in the development of marine energy since 2003 and works closely with the Crown Estate and leading marine energy developers in the UK and Europe.
As well as vast experience in environmental impact assessments, Royal Haskoning provides consulting geotechnical expertise, wave and tidal resource modelling, physical process modelling as well as maritime and civil engineering.
Alistair Davison Royal Haskoning’s Director for Energy Development said: “The UK has Europe’s greatest potential for electricity generated by waves, winds and tides - now with the endorsement of marine renewables in the South West, the UK has the potential to become increasingly energy self-sufficient helping to reduce our overall carbon footprint.
“The development of technologies that exploit the power of the sea and tides around our coasts is at a stage of rapid development, a crucial stage in the life cycle in any technology. This announcement, along with the proposed changes in Renewable Obligation Certificate, sends a positive signal that the UK intends to remain at the forefront of the development of these technologies into the foreseeable future.”
Royal Haskoning’s experience and successful track record of achieving consent for large marine infrastructure and renewable energy projects has helped Haskoning become a market leader in Environmental Impact Assessments, environmental management and monitoring for these developments.
Adam Pharaoh observes, “We look forward with great anticipation to the development of the South West for many exciting marine energy developments.”