15 December 2008
NWDA to lead Northwest Tidal Energy Group
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) is preparing to
announce a brand new group dedicated to exploring the tidal energy
potential of England’s Northwest.
The Northwest Tidal Energy Group will examine the Northwest’s
ability to extract tidal energy from the Irish Sea, as well as
sharing information and encouraging debate.
Facilitated and run by the NWDA, the group will be chaired by
Joe Flanagan, sector leader for Energy & Environmental
Technologies at the Agency.
The event which is being co-sponsored by Peel Energy will be
launched on Wednesday 17th December at Lancaster University’s
George Fox Building, (9:30am to 3:30pm), where key stakeholders
from industry, the public sector and academia will come together
for the first time.
The event will provide an overview of tidal energy technologies,
demonstrate best practice from other successful global projects and
outline key potential tidal projects in the region - the Mersey,
the Solway and Morecambe’s Bridge Across the Bay.
Joe Flanagan, Sector Leader - Energy and Environmental
Technologies at the NWDA said:
“England’s Northwest has the potential to provide up to half of
the region’s energy from tidal energy; around 6% of national energy
needs – a significant figure that highlights how the region’s
natural assets such as tidal energy can be used for sustainable
renewable energy opportunities.
“The NWDA is committed to meeting national and regional targets
in this area. As climate change moves up the political agenda, the
Northwest is demonstrating its commitment and leading the way for
the rest of the UK."
Anthony Hatton, Development Manager - Marine Power at Peel
Energy said:
“Peel Energy is committed to exploring the potential for
generating low carbon electricity from the Mersey. The
Northwest Tidal Energy Group provides a forum for stakeholders
covering many interests to come together and address the important
issues raised by tidal energy schemes in the context of changing
energy, infrastructure and environmental policies.”
Lancaster University’s George Aggidis, founding Chair of the
Northwest Tidal Energy Group, said:
“The Northwest Tidal Energy Group started life four years ago at
Lancaster University as part of the University’s Renewable Energy
Group. It is extremely gratifying to see how the group has grown
and developed over the years to encompass today all the key players
on tidal energy in the Northwest. ”
At the NWTEG launch event on 17 December, delegates also will
hear from the Department for Energy and Climate Change and Natural
England. The keynote speaker is Mr Bernie Bulkin of the Sustainable
Development Commission, while the day will finish on an
international note with Bernd Hindelang from Andritz Hydro.
To register interest in this event please email m.whitworth@envirolinknorthwest.co.uk
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Notes to editors:
For further information please contact Shelley Tattersall, Press
Officer on 01925 400256 or mobile 07500 128482 or shelley.tattersall@nwda.co.uk
For urgent out of hours press enquiries please call 01925
400259.
For further information and to view previous press releases visit
us at www.nwda.co.uk/press
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) leads the
economic development and regeneration of England's Northwest and is
responsible for:
• Supporting business growth and encouraging
investment
• Matching skills provision to employer needs
• Creating the conditions for economic growth
• Connecting the region through effective transport and
communication infrastructure
• Promoting the region’s outstanding quality of life