Teesside switched on to wave power

Jul 26 2010 by Kelley Price, Evening Gazette

A SUBSEA trenching boss behind a world leading wave power project says Teesside could be to tidal energy what Aberdeen is to oil and gas.

Daryl Lynch, managing direct of Darlington’s CTC Marine, said the area could become a powerhouse for tidal power technology and other offshore renewables.

His comments come as the massive cables for the £42m Wave Hub - the world’s largest ‘socket in the sea’ for tidal power testing - set sail from Hartlepool firm JDR Cables at Victoria Dock, bound for its new home in Cornwall.

"Teesside can be a leader," he said, "there’s a chance we could build an equivalent of Aberdeen in terms of oil and gas if we play our cards right.

"There is a lot of subsea engineering businesses in the North-east, it’s often overlooked. There are very exciting prospects."

Both JDR Cables and CTC Marine won global tenders for the manufacturing and installation of 25km of cabling for the pioneering prototype.

JDR has manufactured the hub structure and the 25km of subsea cable that will connect the hub to the National Grid on shore, to be installed beneath the seabed by CTC Marine specialists.

Mr Lynch said Teesside’s expertise and adaptability will stand it in good stead as the tidal power wave hits - and technology driven by the oil and gas industry will serve to make the area’s renewables know-how stronger.

"We build subsea equipment in the North-east, with the likes of SMD on Tyneside, we have an abundance of administration, offshore management staff - and most importantly, great engineers.

"Our workforce is flexible in terms of meeting demands. The City of London will always have its financial core, but the North-east has had to change from traditional heavy industries into more technology manufacturing. We’ve been able to transfer our skillsets and that’s why this will work.

"Oil and gas is still strong - and it’s technology from this sector that will make the green renewables industry.

"We need private companies leading the change, but we also need Government support. The political drive is there for wind and wave power. This region needs to make sure we capture that."

He said CTC Marine, part of the US-based Trico Marine Group, was seeing growth in the oil and gas sector and hoped to grow its renewables business to 50% in five years.

For an in-depth look at the Wave Hub project - and how Teesside expertise is powering its development - see tomorrow’s nebusiness.