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| Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters |
The Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters in the North of Scotland have
confirmed their place on the global marine energy map with the launch of the
area as a Marine Energy Park. UK Energy
and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker will welcome the launch of the marine
park during a visit to Thurso in Caithness, where he is set to address key
players from across the marine renewable energy industry.
The Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters Marine Energy Park will incorporate
the world-leading European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) which attracts
developers from across the world and where testing of a wide range of wave and
tidal energy devices is already under way.
The purpose of the park is to heighten the international profile of the
region and its reputation as a world leader in marine energy. The park will
build on collaborative partnerships in the region between government on the
main land and the Orkney Islands, Highlands and Islands Enterprise(HIE), plus a
cluster of local expertise and renewable resource in the area, to help speed up
progress of marine power development.
Energy from waves or tides has the potential to generate 27GW of power
in the UK alone by 2050, equivalent to the power generated from eight coal
fired power stations. A move to marine power can also help cut emissions and
tackle climate change.
Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker said:
“It’s great to see Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters confirm their place
on the marine power map with the launch of the second of the Coalition Government’s
UK Marine Energy Parks. “This area is already a vital part of the marine
industry, thanks to its high tidal stream and wave resource. This stretch of
water is also home to the European Marine Energy Centre, currently unrivalled
anywhere else in the world. This park will help bring together local knowledge
and expertise to spur on further development in this exciting industry. “Marine
power is a growing green clean source of power which has the potential to
sustain thousands of jobs in a sector worth a possible £15bn to the economy by
2050. “The UK is already a world leader in wave and tidal power and we need to
really capitalise on this to ensure energy from marine reaches its full
potential in our future energy mix.”
Highlands and Islands Enterprise chairman Lorne Crerar said:
“We are delighted that the region’s role in the development of the
marine energy sector is being recognised nationally and internationally. “The
designation as a marine energy park further promotes the Highlands and Islands
of Scotland as a marine energy hub, and will accelerate investment and the
industry’s ambition for commercialisation of the technologies being tested
here.”
Convener of Orkney Islands Council, Councillor Steven Heddle said:
“The launch of the Marine Energy Park formalises the leading role that
the waters around Orkney have already played in the development of marine
energy.
“The test sites of the European Marine Energy Centre in Orkney have
established it as a world-leading facility in the testing and certification of
marine energy devices, allowing a competitive advantage for a new UK industry.
“The development of EMEC, supported by investment from the Orkney
Islands Council, has led to the growth of a local supply chain and technical
expertise geared towards marine renewables which is second to none.
“Further investment by the Council in piers and onshore facilities with
huge growth potential at Lyness, Hatston and Stromness – already rewarded by
significant activity and employment – shows our confidence in the successful
commercialisation of marine renewables and offshore wind, and in our ability to
service these activities.
“We welcome the launch of the Marine Energy Park, and look forward to
working with our partners to drive development and economic prosperity for our
communities.”
Leader of the Highland Council, Councillor Drew Hendry said:
“The Highland Council has been a key partner in the Pentland Firth &
Orkney Waters wave and tidal programme since its earliest days, so we welcome
this further recognition of the international significance of the marine
resources in the north.
“We are particularly pleased to see the launch of the Marine Energy Park
at the new state-of-the-art Engineering, Technology & Energy Centre in
Thurso, where the next generation of marine engineers and technicians are
already being developed. Together with our partners we continue to support the
growth potential of marine energy for the economy of our area.”
The Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters is already a vital part of the UK’s
growing marine sector and is home to some of the best wave and tidal resource
in the country as well as home grown marine expertise.
This stretch of water is also the site of the world’s first commercial
scale leasing round for marine energy. As announced by the Crown Estate (TCE)
in 2010, there are 11 successful bidders for sites in Scotland’s Pentland Firth
and Orkney waters. Up to 1.6 GW (600 MW from wave and 1000MW from tidal stream)
proposed by the developers involved in this leasing round, could, if developed
to full capacity, meet the electricity needs of up to three quarters of a
million homes.
Scrabster Harbour in Thurso is already expanding its facilities in light
of the growing role of offshore energy in the area. Under its “three ports
strategy”, Orkney Islands Council is investing in new and upgraded pier and
quayside facilities at Lyness, Hatston and Stromness – providing support
facilities at key strategic locations for the marine energy industry.
The first UK marine energy park, in South West England, was launched in
January this year by Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker.
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