PLYMOUTH is at the heart of the country's first marine energy park, which is bidding to harness wind, waves and tides to bring jobs and investment, writes Business Editor William Telford.

The city is today revealed as one of the three centres for the project to create renewable power across the region.

Backers of the South West Marine Energy Park hope Plymouth can forge more traditional industries with cutting-edge research.

The city's docks, university and port are to be at the forefront of designing, testing and building multi-million pound offshore facilities such as wind farms.

Plymouth, according to the park's prospectus, already has 300 marine-related businesses employing more than 13,000 people.

More than £100million has been invested in the South West's marine energy industry in the past seven years.

But it is predicted that maritime renewable energy could create another 5,000 jobs across the region from 2017.

Two wind farms in the Bristol Channel and off the Dorset coast are already planned at a combined cost of more than £7billion.

Plymouth City Council and Cornwall Council are among the backers of the SWMEP to bring together business, research and attract the huge investment required. Consultants Regen SW and local enterprise partnerships are also part of the partnership aiming to exploit the region's strong winds, big waves and powerful tides.

Bristol and Falmouth/Hayle are the other two centres for the Government-backed scheme.

City council leader Vivien Pengelly said: "The opportunity for growth and increased commercialisation in marine renewable energy, which underpins the ethos of the SWMEP, represents a major opportunity to help Plymouth's economy generate investment and jobs.

"Plymouth has world-class research and development expertise in this field, along with a strong marine business base and advanced manufacturing sector.

"We look forward to working closely with our private and public sector partners to make the South West Marine Energy Park a success."

The prospectus says that companies working in renewable energy could exploit the city's excellent facilities such as the dockyard and port. It could also tap into a specialist workforce from dockyard staff to graduates with hi-tech skills.

The £19million Marine Science building at Plymouth University, due to open this year, is highlighted as a key part of the park.

Housing up to 150 researchers and technicians, it will have a giant tank which will recreate conditions at sea – vital for testing technology such as tidal barrages.

Energy Minister Greg Barker has met councillors from Plymouth, Cornwall and Bristol to launch a prospectus which sets out how the public and private sectors will work with the Government.

"Marine power has huge potential in the UK not just in contributing to a greener electricity supply and cutting emissions, but in supporting thousands of jobs in a sector worth a possible £15billion to the economy to 2050," he said.

The project also has the support of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership and the Heart of the South West LEP.

Tim Jones, chairman of Heart of the South West LEP, said: "Plymouth has world-quality marine credentials. To see such a powerful alliance coming together to tackle this challenging opportunity deserves support from all those committed to delivering a prosperous future.

"This approach also speaks volumes for the strength of partnership working, this is a brilliant concept which can boost the sub-regional economy."

Comment – Page 11