Plans to start the screening phase of a strategic environmental assessment (SEA), to cover the wave and tidal energy sector in England and Wales received a mixed reception following its announcement yesterday (30th April) by Climate Change Minister, Lord Hunt. Speaking at BWEA’s Wave & Tidal 09 conference in Bath Lord Hunt said: "The screening exercise in English and Welsh waters is a significant step forward in our plans to harness the power of our seas and secure a renewable and low carbon energy supply."

In broad terms the industry too was glad that the decision had finally been made, however, it was suggested that the UK government was in danger of frittering away a huge lead the country had, by delaying this announcement until now. The Renewable Energy Association expressed disappointment that Lord Hunt's announcement was merely a screening exercise to determine if an SEA was necessary.

"It's good that government seems to recognise the need for an SEA but we'd rather have heard that the work was actually going to start.  The screening exercise is an unfortunate delay and the timescale needs to be expedited,"  said Steph Merry, REA's Head of Marine Renewable Energy.

The REA has been calling for a wave and tidal SEA, to ensure urgently required long-term leases can be granted for marine renewable developments on a commercial scale.  Under present conditions The Crown Estate will only grant short-term leases for demonstration projects no larger than 10MW.  This offers practically no incentive to major investment or large utilities.

Wave power in Scotland, where the government has already carried out an SEA, the Crown Estate has been able to open bidding in the Penland Firth resulting in 38 proposals for tidal devices up to 300MW in size. Previously only offshore wind, oil and gas have been subject to a SEA in England and Wales.

Steph Merry continued:  "An SEA would make a huge difference to the development of commercial-scale wet renewables in England and Wales. The UK is currently a world leader in the development of wave and tidal stream devices. It is imperative that we keep hold of that lead in order to meet our renewable energy targets and to ensure jobs and investment in UK manufacturing now and in the future. "