The UK government has assembled an industry-led task force to accelerate renewable marine energy development.
Speaking at the Marine Energy Wales (MEW) Conference, Michael Shanks MP, Parliamentary Undersecretary of State at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, announced the formation of the Marine Energy Task Force. The task force will assist the UK’s goals of boosting renewable, homegrown, and cheap energy production in Britain.
“I’m pleased to announce that an industry-led Marine Energy Task Force is being assembled to consider marine energy deployment throughout the UK,” said Minister Shanks. “Its key outcome will be the delivery of a strategic roadmap, including recommendations for removing barriers, along with estimates of the investment required to deliver the UK’s marine energy potential.”
The industry-led task force will develop a strategic roadmap to navigate marine energy deployment barriers, identify investment needs, and chart a course for implementing marine energy projects nationwide. Their findings will be published by the Marine Energy Council and presented to the government to help shape policy actions.
Minister Shanks noted that marine energy projects in Wales have already attracted £292 million in investment and created 429 full-time jobs. He also endorsed the Celtic Sea leasing Round 5 (a process by which the Crown Estate leases sections of the Celtic Sea for offshore wind farms). Wind farm proposals are now in the final stages of evaluation. This round, up to 4.5 gigawatts (GW)of capacity could be deployed, aiding the UK economy with an estimated £1.4 billion and creating over 5,000 jobs.
The UK expects to see 130 megawatts (MW) of tidal energy capacity by 2029.
“The formation of the Marine Energy Task Force marks a critical step in turning ambition into action. For too long, the potential of our marine resources has been acknowledged but underutilised.” said Jay Sheppard, Project Manager, Marine Energy Wales. “This task force brings together the right expertise to chart a credible, coordinated path forward – one that addresses real-world barriers, unlocks private investment, and ensures that the benefits of marine energy are felt in coastal communities across the UK. It’s a moment of clarity and commitment for a sector ready to scale.”
