The document, also highlights the potential for the marine energy sector to provide up to 16,000 jobs, with a quarter of these in exports. The plan was launched at Strangford Lough in Northern Ireland, home of the 1.2MW SeaGen turbine - the world's first operating, commercial-scale tidal stream turbine.
"This plan sets out our vision for what marine energy can do for the UK and what we need to do to make it happen. I look forward to working with industry and other partners to get the most out of our waters and build a new, world-leading energy generation sector in the UK." stated Lord Hunt. The plan - which has been developed by Government jointly with industry - sets out the actions needed to drive the marine energy sector forward. Key recommendations include:

• Consideration of support levels for marine technologies under the review of banding of the Renewables Obligation Scheme.
• Ensuring that the appropriate levels of targeted funding are available to prevent market failures that typically exist in developing a new technology sector
• Leveraging private equity, and in the longer term, project capital into the sector;
• Establishing guidelines and best practice in the development of new technologies;
• Utilising the current skills base already established from the offshore wind, oil and gas, and maritime industries.

The establishment of a Ministerial Task Force on Marine Energy, which will bring together key players to oversee future work on the Marine Energy Action Plan was also announced.