Interested developers have until 7th February 2014 to participate in the Crown Estate’s new industry engagement venture. The feedback from the process will be used by the estate to help shape competitive leasing processes later in the year. Involvement could also lead to the award of seabed rights to successful applicants by the end of 2014.
The process has been motivated by numerous enquiries from marine energy developers, thus prompting the Crown Estate’s attempt to establish the readiness of the sector more broadly.
“The opportunity that tidal range and lagoons could present for the UK has been long talked about” said Crown Estate Head of Minerals and Infrastructure Ian Selby. “We now need to see if this is the time for action. We are keen to give industry the opportunity to set out their interest and how tidal range and lagoons projects could contribute to, and complement the UK's growing portfolio of low carbon offshore wind, wave and tidal stream portfolios.”
The estate is seeking views from developers, other companies in the industry and stakeholders concerning possible approaches to leasing tidal range projects. This in line with the estate’s strategic objective to support the growth and diversity of the offshore renewable energy sector in the UK. The estate has now published a market engagement document that gives developers the chance to describe their projects, whilst outlining the requirements it would expect applicants to meet, as well as the rights that may be granted.
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