The Cornwall and The Isles of Scilly Growth Programme has announced details of a £5 million marine renewables infrastructure fund.
The funding will help realise the potential for commercial marine energy generation around the waters of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
The fund builds on the region’s plans in the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Marine Renewables Roadmap, published earlier this year, which laid out the area’s ambitions through exploiting the opportunities from its vast wave resource, already recognised as amongst the best in the world.
Julian German, Cornwall Council’s portfolio holder for Economy and Culture, said: “Marine renewable energy is a key component in the development and delivery of our ambition to deliver a local energy market within Cornwall, and I fully support the roadmap which identifies the foundations on which the continued growth of this important sector maybe built.”
There is an expectation to see applications from businesses with advanced concepts and proven track records that are looking to quickly progress pre commercial and commercial array scale projects, specifically around infrastructure.
It’s expected the applications will include the design, construction, deployment, commissioning or testing of energy infrastructure suitable for enabling deployment of grid connected arrays.
A minimum project value is stated as £500k and with an intervention rate of 80%, there has to be a minimum total project cost of £625kfor any applications to be considered for funding.
The Priority Axis 4 (PA4) call is open now for initial applications with a deadline of September 25, if successful, projects will be invited to full application.
For further information on the PA4 call, click here