RenewableUK, a London-based trade association representing the wind and marine power industries, is expanding its marine coverage to take in companies involved in tidal lagoon energy.
The trade association, which represented wave and tidal stream energy since 2004, has decided to include an additional form of tidal power.
The move follows the UK Planning Inspectorate’s decision, which was taken in March 2014, to accept for consideration an application by Tidal Lagoon Power to construct the world’s first tidal lagoon project in Swansea Bay.
Construction is scheduled to start in 2015, with first power planned to be generated in 2018.
The Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon project has the potential to power 155,000 homes in the UK, saving 236,000 tonnes of carbon emissions per year.
RenewableUK chief executive Maria McCaffery said, "We are confident that this ground-breaking scheme will point the way for others to follow around the world, so we’re proud to support the deployment of this innovative form of renewable energy.
"It’s great news for Wales too, as it keeps the nation at the forefront of the renewable energy sector, creating more jobs and attracting further investment," McCaffery said.