"Supergrid" would put South West on the Europe's renewable energy map

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 1st Jul 2010

Local Lib Dem MEP Graham Watson has called for a Europe-wide energy "Supergrid" that would enable projects like the Wave Hub in Cornwall to export green energy to Europe and beyond. He will travel to London on Friday (2 July) to discuss the idea with leading engineers, consultants and policy makers.

In a pamphlet entitled "Making the Green Energy Switch at a Time of Crisis", Watson makes the case for the installation of high voltage direct current (HVDC) power lines in the Euro-Mediterranean region.

He says that a Europe-wide Supergrid would allow energy from renewable sources all around Europe to be transferred to where it is needed. It is based on the idea that "it is always windy somewhere".

Watson believes the idea will provide unparalleled opportunities to the South West;

"Governments all over Europe are looking to end their dependence on unreliable energy sources. Only last week a dispute between Russia and Belarus left countries like Lithuania with a 40% drop in gas supplies.

"A Europe-wide Supergrid would allow renewable energy firms here in the South West to plug into this market. This would help the region become a green energy leader and provide a tremendous boost to jobs and the economy.

"By being outward looking and forward thinking we can transform our economy, environment and energy security. This is the message I want to get across."

Related Link:

Download a copy of Making the Green Energy Switch at a Time of Crisis.