Written question asked by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park (Conservative) on Thursday, 11 August 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 6 September 2011. It was answered by Mark Prisk (Conservative) on Friday, 9 September 2011 on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

National Renewable Energy Centre

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent progress his Department has made in facilitating the commissioning of the National Renewable Energy Centre's Nautilus marine energy testing facility.

Answer: Between 2009 and 2011, the National Renewable Energy Centre (Narec) received a £10 million grant from the ““Strategic Investment Fund”” in BIS for the Nautilus test rig. In addition, the project has ERDF funding in this financial year.The build and commissioning of the facility is managed directly by Narec as the asset owner. BIS continues to monitor the project both directly and through its partner organisations to ensure timely completion. Narec are forecasting that the facility will be commissioned in spring 2012.

Secondary information