Work has begun on a business park in the South of England aimed at stregthening growth within the marine energy sector.
The Hayle Marine Renewables Business Park (MRBP)has been created to strengthen the sector’s growth in Cornwall.
It’s part of a £24million investment by Cornwall Council, the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and government in the regeneration of the Hayle Harbour.
The Devon and Cornwall division of Midas Construction has won the contract to build the business park.
Hayle is already home to Wave Hub ltd, which operates the world’s largest marine energy test site 10 miles from the North Cornwall coast, as well as three marine energy demonstration zones.
Both the MRBP and the Wave Hub have been earmarked as vital elements in the offshore renewables development programme which aims to accelerate commercialisation of the sector.
Claire Gibson, managing director of Wave Hub, said: “This business park is something the industry and our customers have has told us they need so we expect it to be a real catalyst for the further development of marine renewable energy in the region.”
The new business park is designed to accommodate companies in the growing marine energy sector and is being built on the site of a formal coal-fired power station at North Quay in Hayle now owned by Cornwall Council.
It is expected to open in summer 2015 and create 120 jobs.
Chris Pomfret, chairman of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly LEP and deputy chair of the Convergence Local Management Committee, ERDF convergence programme, said: “The marine renewables market has huge potential and the business park further enhances our unique offer to this growing global industry, thanks to ERDF investment.
“The sector is a priority for the LEP because of its ability to create high value jobs and is something we are committed to further developing through the next European programme in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.”
Hayle MRBP is being developed as part of a collaborate package of investment in Hayle Harbour and North Quay, with £11.6million of funding from the ERDF, an £8million investment by Cornwall Council, and £4.25million from the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) and the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC).
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