The PSIP has been created by a partnership led by the South West RDA (Regional Development Agency), University of Plymouth and Plymouth City Council. It will put in place a city-wide strategy aimed at creating jobs, businesses and economic success from science and innovation related activities in marine renewables, engineering, marine science and other technologies.

The new marine building will be developed by the University on its city campus, housing state-of-the-art research facilities including the wave tank testing equipment.

Overall responsibility for coordinating the PSIP’s strategy and ensuring it is delivered on the ground will be taken by a newly created PSI Council, which will bring together key stakeholders, education and research institutes, investors and innovative businesses.

A package of regional and national funding was yesterday confirmed for the Plymouth Science and Innovation Programme:

• £7M from the South West RDA.

• £4M from the Department of Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) and the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC).

• £11.8Mfrom the University of Plymouth.

• £1.5M from Plymouth City Council.

The RDA has previously announced £1.2M funding for the wave tank as part of the Agency’s three-year £7.3M investment in the Peninsula Research Institute for Marine Renewable Energy (PRIMaRE), led by the Universities of Plymouth and Exeter.