The UK Government has announced the creation of a Marine Energy Task Force aimed at accelerating the deployment of marine renewable technologies and unlocking investment in the sector. The announcement was made at the Marine Energy Wales Conference by Michael Shanks, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
The new task force will consist of industry representatives and stakeholders who will work to identify deployment challenges, recommend policy changes, and develop a strategic roadmap to guide the UK’s approach to marine energy.
“I’m pleased to announce that an industry-led Marine Energy Task Force is being assembled to consider marine energy deployment throughout the UK,” Shanks told delegates. “Its key outcome will be the delivery of a strategic roadmap, including recommendations for removing barriers, along with estimates of the investment required to deliver the UK’s marine energy potential.”
Marine energy, including tidal stream and wave power, is increasingly viewed as a viable contributor to the UK’s renewable energy mix. In Wales alone, the sector has attracted £292 million in investment and supported 429 full-time jobs, according to government data.
The task force’s findings will be published by the Marine Energy Council and are expected to shape future government policy and funding decisions.
The initiative is part of the UK Government’s broader goal to expand domestic clean energy production and stimulate economic growth in coastal regions. It also complements ongoing developments in floating offshore wind, particularly in the Celtic Sea, where Round 5 of leasing could lead to the deployment of up to 4.5 gigawatts (GW) of capacity and generate an estimated £1.4 billion economic boost, creating more than 5,000 jobs.
“Tidal stream energy remains a key priority,” the government said, with over 130 megawatts (MW) of capacity expected by 2029, following successful bids in recent Contracts for Difference (CfD) rounds. Wave energy continues to receive public research and development support as it moves toward commercialisation.
Jay Sheppard, Project Manager at Marine Energy Wales, welcomed the announcement: “For too long, the potential of our marine resources has been acknowledged but underutilised. This task force brings together the right expertise to chart a credible, coordinated path forward—one that addresses real-world barriers, unlocks private investment, and ensures that the benefits of marine energy are felt in coastal communities across the UK.
