To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment has been made of the effectiveness of Seagen's tidal stream project technology located in Strangford Lough and its possible application in other waters of the United Kingdom, with particular reference to the River Thames; and if he will make a statement. (309662)

Funding bodies such as Technology Strategy Board and Carbon Trust who have provided funding to the Seagen project have made assessments of the technology, which is the most advanced tidal stream technology.

It is for developers to determine where the most suitable locations are to deploy their devices. The UK tidal stream resource has been mapped by a project team led by APB Marine Environmental Research and this can be viewed at

http://www.renewables-atlas.info/