Graham Watson MEP
Liberal Democrat Member of the European Parliament for South West England and Gibraltar
A local champion with an international reputation
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Region takes plunge with first Marine Energy Park
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Published on Wednesday 25th January 2012
Long time advocate of renewable energy Investment, Sir Graham Watson MEP has welcomed today's launch in Bristol by UK Climate Change Minister Greg Barker of Britain's first Marine Energy Park.
The new South West Marine Energy Park stretching from Bristol to the Isles of Scilly will create a collaborative partnership in the region between national and local government, Local Enterprise Partnerships, the Universities of Plymouth and Exeter and industry including Cornwall's famous Wave Hub.
Watson commented:
"This new partnership will help further establish the region at the world's leading centre for renewable marine power."
"EU funding has already supported the Wave Hub and the Peninsula Research Institute for Marine Renewable Energy, which together are allowing world leading research and development to take place here in the South West. By investing public money into renewables and new innovative technology we can encourage private investment that is ten fold, helping to create jobs. It will also help bring energy prices down as more efficient and less wasteful systems are created."
"This announcement, is another demonstration of the LibDems working within the Coalition to deliver on our manifesto commitment to 'transform the electricity networks into a dynamic electricity grid that can better connect and integrate new, clean energy technologies'."