Glasgow is to host the headquarters of a new £50 million UK energy technology centre.
The Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult centre, which was announced on Thursday 9 February 2011 by Business Secretary Vince Cable, will become a world-leading hub of expertise, developing innovative technologies that will reduce the cost of offshore renewable energy and help transform the UK into a low carbon economy.
The bid for the Centre was developed by a UK-wide consortium including the Carbon Trust, National Renewable Energy Centre (Narec), and Ocean Energy Innovation – a group of major players in renewables. It will receive up to £10 million per year over five years from the Technology Strategy Board.
The Centre will establish its primary location in Glasgow, within the International Technology and Renewable Energy Zone (ITREZ) – a global hub for renewables – with an operational centre in the North East of England close to Narec.
Iain Gray, Chief Executive of the Technology Strategy Board said: “The UK’s reputation and expertise in offshore engineering, gained through many years of commercial North Sea oil activity, makes the UK an excellent base for innovation relevant to the emerging offshore renewable energy sector.”
Business Secretary, Vince Cable added: “Our offshore renewable sector can compete on a global scale and has huge potential for growth. If we can harness that we will generate billions of pounds for the economy whilst creating thousands of job opportunities at the same time.
“It is vital we invest in renewable energy now to gain maximum benefits in the future. In creating this centre we are taking the next step to transforming the UK into a low carbon economy.”
The new Catapult will focus on technologies applicable to offshore wind, tidal and wave power. It will also build strong links with centres of excellence, such as the European Marine Energy Centre, Wave Hub, and the recently announced marine energy park in the South West of England.
During the announcement at the University of Strathclyde, Professor Jim McDonald, Chairman of the Energy Technology Board and Principal of the University – a partner of Ocean Energy Innovation, said: "I am delighted that this truly collaborative bid has been successful. By securing the UK Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, the country will build on our already globally competitive reputation for advances in renewable technology and deployment. Our world-class research base offers distinct advantages and will accelerate industrial innovation. We will help to develop and drive the industry over the coming ten years and beyond.”
Dr Lena Wilson, Chief Executive of Scottish Enterprise, said: "Work to establish the HQ at the International Technology and Renewable Energy Zone in Glasgow is already underway to ensure the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult is up and running as quickly as possible to help accelerate progress in the wind, wave and tidal sectors.
“Through this collaborative venture we will work strategically, bringing together innovative companies with key research institutions, to support the development of pioneering low carbon technologies, from initial ideas through development, demonstration and testing to full scale commercial deployment, securing significant economic and environmental benefits for the UK."
Andrew Mill, CEO of NAREC said: “The partnership between Carbon Trust, Narec and Ocean Energy is ideally placed to lead industrial innovation in offshore renewables. We will capitalise on the UK’s offshore engineering heritage and deployment expertise, and exploit our world leading technology development capabilities and infrastructure to effectively support growth businesses and a growing cluster of multinationals moving to the UK.”
The Catapult is expected to open for business in the summer of 2012, and may also advise the UK government on its renewable energy policies. The UK announced its Renewable Energy Strategy in July 2009, which outlines how 15% of energy generated in the UK will come from renewable sources by 2020.