Wave energy developer Aquamarine Power welcomes the Marine Energy Road Map which was published today [26 August 2009] by the Scottish Government’s Marine Energy Group (MEG).
The road map suggests that the marine energy industry could provide up to 12,500 jobs contributing £2.5 billion to the Scottish economy by 2020.
The report provides key recommended actions for the Scottish and UK Government, public bodies and the private sector to ensure Scotland’s marine energy industry realises its full potential.
Aquamarine Power is currently developing the UK’s first nearshore wave energy converter, known as Oyster. Last month, Oyster moved a step closer to generating clean energy with the completion of the first phase of installation at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney, ahead of grid connection and sea trials later this year.
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 £30million and £50million.
“Much of this is being raised from the private sector, but at this early stage of the industry, government support is essential.
“If the Scottish Government continues to support us, together with the UK Parliament and Europe, we can build an industry to make Scotland proud.”