Oral Answers to Questions
Debate between Mark Menzies and Lord Barker of Battle
Mark Menzies (Fylde) (Con)
19. What steps he is taking to encourage the development of wave and tidal energy technology in the UK.
The Minister of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change (Gregory Barker)
We are committed to harnessing the tremendous benefits that a successful wave and tidal renewable energy sector can bring to the UK and are considering specific measures, such as marine energy parks, to achieve that.
Mark Menzies
Will the Minister also take steps to ensure that, when it comes to wave and tidal power, Britain leads the world in that technology, and that we do not allow the technology and the jobs to go overseas?
Gregory Barker
The hon. Gentleman makes a key point. Under the last Government, 95% of the infrastructure and turbines for one of the largest offshore wind projects was built abroad. We cannot allow that to happen, and we have a policy of marine parks to ensure that that does not happen with this nascent, potentially world-beating British technology.