The task force will bring together industry experts to identify obstacles to deployment, assess necessary investments, and create a strategic roadmap for marine energy growth. Michael Shanks stated: “I’m pleased to announce that an industry-led Marine Energy Task Force is being assembled to consider marine energy deployment throughout the UK. 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.”
The Marine Energy Council, representing the UK’s tidal stream and wave energy sectors, will publish the task force’s findings and present them to the government to guide future policies. In Wales, marine energy has already driven £292 million in investments and created 429 full-time jobs, showcasing its economic contributions.
Tidal stream energy is a priority, with over 130 megawatts of capacity projected by 2029, supported by recent Contracts for Difference funding rounds. Wave energy continues to benefit from research and development, with prospects for long-term commercial success. The government also supports floating offshore wind, with the Celtic Sea leasing Round 5 nearing completion.
Jay Sheppard, Project Manager at Marine Energy Wales, remarked: “The formation of the Marine Energy Task Force marks a critical step in turning ambition into action. For too long, the potential of our marine resources has been acknowledged but underutilized. 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. It’s a moment of clarity and commitment for a sector ready to scale.”
The task force’s formation follows commitments from the First Minister and the Secretary of State to strengthen cooperation and invest in tidal energy development in Wales and beyond. This initiative reflects a unified effort to expand the UK’s renewable energy portfolio, leveraging marine resources to support sustainable energy goals and economic growth in coastal regions.
