MP Opens New Isle of Wight HQ

Isle of Wight MP Andrew Turner has run up the flag to celebrate the arrival of innovative technology company Sustainable Marine Energy (SME) at its new offices and workshops at Trinity Wharf, East Cowes.

The company relocated from London because it believes the Isle of Wight has the right support and businesses to enable it to build its pioneering new tidal energy turbine platform.

Called PLAT-O, the platform is designed to cut the high installation and maintenance costs and risks traditionally associated with tidal energy devices. It will be built with the help of local companies and is expected to create jobs on the island as the project progresses.

The opening of Sustainable Marine Energy's new offices and workshops comes just days after the company announced that it is to deploy SCHOTTEL turbines on its prototype platform following successful tank testing.

SME is aiming to make clean tidal energy a realistic alternative to electricity generated using fossil fuels, and the company hopes to help the Isle of Wight Council achieve its ambition for the island to become self-sufficient in locally generated renewable electricity by 2020.

PLAT-O’s prototype platform will be undergoing sea trials supported by Yarmouth Harbor, and on-going discussions with the Isle of Wight Council and TB Partners will continue in relation to longer-term test and demonstration opportunities.

Opening SME’s offices Mr. Turner MP said, “Building stable and sustainable power supplies is one of the key challenges that face our country. Tidal energy has real potential to be a key part of achieving our aims and around the Island we have the natural resources to provide both test facilities and production capacity as the new technology matures.

www.sustainablemarine.com