MORE than 140 people with an interest in clean technology attended a meeting in the UK last week which was hosted by the Department of Economic Development.
The department hosted a breakfast meeting at the Rushlight Clean Technologies Show in London, on February 1, which attracted investors, professional advisors and clean technology businesses.
The Rushlight Clean Technologies Show is the only event in the UK and Ireland that showcases new energy, waste, water and environmental solutions.
A number of people from the Isle of Man spoke at the breakfast event including Economic Development Minister John Shimmin MHK who discussed the vision of Charles Hendry.
Mr Hendry is the Minister for the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change and believes in an "all island approach" to offshore renewable energy in order to meet the needs of the British Isles and for export into Europe.
Dr Emma Rowan, the marine spatial planning officer for the Isle of Man, spoke about the Island's territory seas and the Manx marine environmental assessment and planning process.
Dr Alan Hisscot, a former senior meteorological officer, also provided an overview of the Island's wind and tidal resources and John Harper, the commercial manager for the Manx Electricity Authority, spoke about the subsea cable which connects the UK and the Isle of Man.
Dr Ken Milne, the senior manger for energy policy for the Department of Economic Development, also spoke about potential upgrade to harbours which could create operation and maintenance bases for offshore wind farms.
He said: "We had a lot of good feedback from the attendees at our breakfast who listened with great interest to the various presentations and discussions from a wide range of experts.
"With its business networks, flexible assistance schemes and world leading cluster of professional advisors, the Isle of Man intends to be at the forefront of this development by attracting and supporting dynamic, innovative businesses and entrepreneurs from around the globe."
Minister Shimmin added: "The breakfast provided a valuable opportunity for the Department of Economic Development to explain the benefits that differentiate the Isle of Man from its competitors.
"We are fortunate that our Island has a proven track record of trialling new technology, a manufacturing sector, including businesses with over 50 years experience, who can assist with developing new technology and we have the opportunity to develop offshore renewable energy in an area which is greater than 87 per cent of the Islands territory."
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