Isle of Wight Tidal Energy Project Nearing End, Councillors Indicate

Councillors have indicated that a contentious tidal energy initiative appears to be nearing its conclusion, following the expiration of its planning permission. The Perpetuus Tidal Energy Centre (PTEC) had put forward a proposal for a system of underwater turbines designed to generate sufficient electricity to power one-third of the residences on the Isle of Wight. The Isle of Wight Council, which holds an outstanding loan of £1m to PTEC, stated that Monday marked the deadline for commencing shore-based construction, as required within three years of the planning permission’s approval. PTEC has not yet offered any statement to the BBC regarding the matter. The company initiated work on an initial 30MW demonstration project located south of the Isle of Wight in 2012. Nevertheless, PTEC had previously stated it was “forced into hibernation” due to its inability to secure government contracts. Planning permission was granted to the project on 16 December 2021 for the construction of a sub-station and the installation of cabling. Councillor Ed Blake, who serves the Ventnor and St Lawrence ward, the intended location for the infrastructure, confirmed that no construction had commenced. The Conservative councillor remarked: “Hopefully, it’s a total dead duck. Somehow the council got sold the dream.” He further added: “It would be easier to build it on Mars than in St Catherine’s Deep.” Mr. Blake, who is a fisherman, characterized the project as a “non-starter” due to its scale and the limited power output it was projected to produce. He continued: “It’s only big enough to be a test bed, but it’s the only place in Europe that has enough tide to warrant a tidal turbine.” He then questioned: “So what are you testing it for?” Daniel James, an Isle of Wight planning consultant who also opposed the initiative, stated that Monday was the final date for submitting documentation related to drainage, ground stabilization, and other necessary paperwork. However, he noted that none of the required work had been completed. He commented: “It’s another nail in a coffin which already has a lot of nails.” In November, PTEC made an unsuccessful attempt to modify conditions linked to its planning approval. Isle of Wight councillor Nick Stuart described this as an “artificial” effort to extend the validity of the three-year permission. He explained: “To start again would involve a whole new application, a whole set of costs.” He added: “I haven’t heard anything to say that’s likely to happen.” The Liberal Democrat, who previously served as a civil servant overseeing science innovation, indicated that tidal energy remains “very much in the research phase.” He cited challenges such as the “destructive” marine environment, expensive equipment, and the difficulty of storing generated energy for subsequent use. Councillor Michael Lilley, a consistent critic of the project, characterized it as a “high-risk fantasy” and deemed it “not viable.” He stated: “Isle of Wight Council I believe has lost at least £1m but probably in real terms much more.” He concluded: “I will be asking the audit committee for a full investigation… although I think the tide has washed away the money, along with the tidal energy dream.”