Minister to launch Scotland's first marine power energy park

Scotland's first marine energy park is set to be launched at The Pentland Firth.

The Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters Marine Energy Park aims to help boost progress in marine power development.

The venture will include the European Marine Energy Centre (Emec) on Orkney, where testing of a range of wave and tidal devices is already under way.

Earlier this year, the government announced the UK's first such marine energy park off the south-west of England.

The park designation is designed to link university researchers and private companies working in marine energy.

The Scottish park will be officially launched by UK energy minister Greg Barker at the Caithness port of Scrabster on Monday.

WWF Scotland welcomed the news that the Pentland Firth was set to be named as the UK's second marine energy park.

Energy minister Fergus Ewing said: "The Marine Energy Park designation of the Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters region will further enhance Scotland’s leading position in marine renewables. This award recognises the work that has been done in leading the development of wave and tidal energy in Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters region for many years, and proves that Scotland continues to be the jewel in the crown of all wave and tidal activity.

"Progress in Scottish wave and tidal renewables has been staggering, but the Scottish Government recognises that more financial support is needed to help the sector achieve its fullest potential. That is why we have committed over £30m through Wates and Waters schemes and investment at Emec, and why we are still continuing to invest in the sector with the £18m Marine Renewables Commercialisation Fund created to accelerate the development and deployment of commercial arrays."

Pelamis Wave Power is among the companies involved in the marine park project. Richard Yemm, commercial director and founder of the firm, said: "Pelamis and the marine power industry warmly welcome today’s announcement on the creation of the new Marine Energy Park in Pentland Firth and Orkney waters.

"This builds on the world leading work in the region, and further cements this area as the proving ground of this industry. This marine energy park creates an even more solid platform for commercialisation of the sector in these waters, while maximising economic benefits for the local community.

"Collectively, Pelamis and our customers E.ON and ScottishPower Renewables are developing 200MW of wave farm projects within the new Marine Energy Park. Today’s announcement further underpins our commitment to this region, and puts in place another cornerstone for the next stages of our commercial development."

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