Minister announces plans to harness Scottish energy

The renewable wave and tidal energy that could provide up to 10% of Scotland’s electricity production and create around 7,000 new jobs may at last be harnessed under measures announced on Tuesday.

Deputy first minister and enterprise minister Ninol Stephen said he was making major changes to renewable energy regulations to kick start multi-million pound investments in marine energy.

The minister told Offshore Europe delegates at the new Science and Energy Park in Aberdeen that he would take action to award additional Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs) to wave and tidal output, with the aim of putting Scotland at the global forefront of marine energy.

Stephen said: “The changes I am announcing today will unlock Scotland’s marine powerhouse. Tens of millions of pounds of support will be available – with the potential for hundreds of millions to be invested in new wind and wave projects around Scotland's shores.

“We have already done much to support the sector, particularly at the world class testing centre on Orkney. Yet to date in contrast to wind power, we have seen no significant commercial projects for wave or tidal power in Scotland. That has to change.

“To deliver, we need to do more. The costs of installing and producing energy from marine devices remains high. Development on a large scale will drive down costs and make it possible for these devices to power the engine of a sustainable Scotland.”