Supply chain issues 'impeding tidal power'
13/07/2009 18:18:00
Supply chain issues relating to tidal power could be holding back its progress as a renewable resource.
Supply chain issues are holding back the development of tidal power as a renewable energy resource, it has been claimed.
Thomas Royle, commercial development manager at composite materials supplier Gurit UK, warns that developers of tidal energy equipment must be certain of their place in the market.
"All device developers face competition - not only from other tidal energy devices, but also from offshore wind," he says.
However, by failing to take supply chain issues into account from the outset, tidal energy developers are told that they risk leaving their potential clients uncertain of their role.
When developers also fail to demonstrate a rapid potential return on investment from their technology, they risk also failing to secure investment from would-be customers.
The cautionary note comes ahead of the Tidal Energy Summit 2009, due to take place on November 17th-18th.
As well as featuring speakers from commercial firms, representatives of the Welsh Assembly, Scottish Government and Department of Energy and Climate Change are due to attend the event.
back to front page news |
