Aquamarine Power (“Aquamarine” or “the Company”), one of the world’s leading marine energy companies, today gave their full support to Scotland’s first Marine Bill, introduced to the Scottish Parliament last Thursday 30 April. The Bill promises to deliver a new future for Scotland’s seas, balancing protection of its marine environment with support for the sustainable economic development of its marine industries.
In response to the Scottish Government’s consultation on the Bill (‘Sustainable Seas for All’ launched in July 2008), Aquamarine recommended a change in the management and legislative framework for managing Scotland’s seas. The Company was concerned that a fragmented and inconsistent approach would put Scotland’s opportunity to be a world-leading producer of marine renewable energy at risk.
Scotland’s first Marine Bill now promises a simpler regulatory system for marine planning, licensing and consents, to be developed and delivered by Marine Scotland, a newly established integrated marine management organisation.
Scottish seas account for a quarter of Europe’s tidal resource and 10% of its wave resource, putting Scotland at a unique advantage in the marine energy industry. The industry has the potential to provide Scotland with a secure energy supply, to create high-paying jobs, to help reduce climate change, and to create a vital new export market.
Martin McAdam, Chief Executive of Aquamarine commented: “Scotland has the potential to be a powerhouse of marine energy. We have a vast resource; we have vital engineering and manufacturing skills; as a nation, we have the necessary drive and determination to lead this brand new industry.
“At this early stage in its development, the marine energy industry needs consistent support to help it reach its full potential. It’s not just funding and investment that is required; it’s solutions that save our most precious commodity: time. I’m delighted that the Scottish Government has recognised this and has established Marine Scotland.
“Marine Scotland will be a one stop shop for Aquamarine Power and fellow developers to get our wave and tidal power devices from the drawing board and into the water for testing as quickly and efficiently as possible.”
This summer will see Aquamarine Power launch its first full-scale wave energy device, Oyster®, at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney for sea-trials.
Martin McAdam commented: “The establishment of Marine Scotland and the new planning and licensing regimes promise to relieve developers like ourselves of the huge administrative burden of securing sites to install and test our devices. This can only be a good thing for the marine energy industry at this critical time.”
Martin McAdam added: The marine energy industry has the potential to do in five years, what has taken 25 years in the wind industry. But only if we act now. The Scottish Government estimates it will take two years to prepare and publish the National Marine Plan. This deadline must not be allowed to slip. I’m delighted that regional planning priority has been granted to the Pentland Firth and other areas with significant marine resource. I ask that the Scottish Government does not overlook the Outer Hebrides as an area of vital importance to the wave energy industry.
In response to the Scottish Government’s consultation on the Bill, Aquamarine stressed the importance of a marine science strategy and a centralised data gathering process.
Martin McAdam today commented: “The Scottish Government must develop a focused approach to gathering scientific data about our seas and a streamlined mechanism for analysing this data. This knowledge will be key to aligning technological innovation with the sustainable capacity of our seas.
“This week, I will write directly to the First Minister to recommend that the Scottish Government commissions a study of the success story of the renewable energy industry in European countries such as Germany and Denmark. I believe that by learning from our fellow European nations, Scotland could match, if not surpass, their success in this crucial industry.”