The Marine Energy Group (MEG), which was created in 2003 to help ensure Scotland exploits its massive wave and tidal potential and develop an action plan to accelerate the development of a marine energy industry in Scotland, has released a new report this week showing that the energy production potential of Scotland's waters remained largely untapped.
The MEG recommends that both the Scottish and English governments should improve funding for the sector, which could eventually generate more electricity than Scotland currently requires. In doing so, experts believe that the sector could generate £2.5 billion by 2020 if new technologies are fully developed.
The road map also called for a review of Scotland's grid infrastructure, especially of the controversial Beauly-Denny power line, to ensure power generated by the sea can be transmitted to those who need it.
The Scottish Government has said Scotland is leading the way in the generation of marine energy, encouraged by the £10 million (€11 million) Saltire Prize for innovation in wave and tidal power. Scotland's Finance Secretary John Swinney said: "The report, put together by industry, highlights the actions it believes we need to deliver a commercial scale industry."
Urgent need for financial support
Meanwhile, wave energy developer Aquamarine Power, which is currently developing the UK’s first nearshore wave energy converter, known as Oyster, welcomed the Marine Energy Road Map. Martin McAdam, Chief Executive Officer of Aquamarine Power, commented: “Aquamarine Power wholeheartedly supports the publication of the Marine Energy Road Map, which is the result of a lot of hard work by the Marine Energy Group, co-chaired by Dr Sian McGrath, Aquamarine Power’s Head of Commercial Development.
“The report reflects a consensus across the marine energy industry and a shared vision of how we will drive the industry forward to realise its full potential for Scotland.”
McAdam added: “The road map shows that Scotland has the potential to build a world-leading marine energy industry, and makes a number of recommendations – the most important of which is the need for urgent financial support. “Scotland has a global lead in marine renewable technology but the next step, building and developing commercial wave and tidal farms to prove the long-term viability of the technology, will cost each developer between £30 million (€34 million) and £50 million (€57 million)."
“If the Scottish Government continues to support us, together with the UK Parliament and Europe, we can build an industry to make Scotland proud,” he said.
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