The installation of Aquamarine Power’s Oyster device, which will be switched on by Scotland’s First Minister later this week, has generated over £1 million expenditure in the Orkney economy according to figures released by the company today [19 November 2009].
The installation of the device, which took place this summer at Billia Croo near Stromness, involved more than 30 local companies ranging from engineering and construction contractors to environmental consultancies, diving and vessel hire, events organisers and photographers. Aquamarine Power’s actual expenditure on local contractors and suppliers comes to over £1 million.
In addition, the company had seven staff working full-time in Orkney during the installation of the Oyster device.
Martin McAdam, Chief Executive Officer of Aquamarine Power, commented:
“Our figures demonstrate the positive impact that wave energy can have on the Orkney economy.
“A successful Oyster project would unlock £3-4 million of capital expenditure per MW installed, of which a significant proportion would be invested in the Orkney economy. A commercial wave farm could therefore represent a significant boost to the local economy and would provide long-term skilled jobs for local residents.
“Ongoing operations and maintenance would generate a further £150,000 per annum to the local economy.”
Stephen Hagan, Convener of Orkney Islands Council said:
“Orkney’s efforts to support the development of marine renewables in Scotland has been further rewarded with the successful installation of Aquamarine Power’s Oyster device. The skills and experience developing in the county will help ensure that Orkney remains at the forefront of renewable energy developments into the future.
“We remain committed to supporting this sector and ensuring that Orkney can put forward the best it has to offer, to optimise further growth and expansion in the industry.”
Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond MP, MSP will officially switch on Oyster on 20 November 2009 when it will begin producing electricity by pumping high pressure water to its onshore hydro-electric turbine. This electricity will be fed into the National Grid to power homes in Orkney and beyond. A farm of 20 Oysters will provide enough energy to power 9,000 three bedroom family homes.
Oyster is Aquamarine Power’s first demonstration-scale wave energy device. Its performance will now be monitored and the results from the testing will provide a basis for the design of the next-generation commercial-scale Oyster.
Oyster is designed to capture the energy found in nearshore waves in water depths between 10 and 16 metres. The benefit of Oyster is its simplicity. There are minimal moving parts and all electrical components are onshore, making it robust enough to withstand the rigours of Scotland’s harsh seas.