UK to lease sites for small-scale marine power demonstrators

The UK’s Crown Estate on Monday announced a programme of leasing for small-scale wave and tidal current test and demonstration projects, with individual capacity below 3 MW.

The new leasing will be opened from September 21. It is the result of industry feedback that shows there is need for further opportunities for some technology types, the Crown Estate said in a statement.

Technology manager Sian Wilson commented that the public body aims to “support the industry in making the step up to larger commercial scale array deployment and unlock value over the long term”.

The programme allows developers to make an application when they are ready, rather than requiring them to do so by a specific deadline.

To date, the Crown Estate has leased more than 40 sites for wave and tidal current projects.

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