The representative body of the Scottish renewable energy industry – Scottish Renewables – has welcomed the tidal energy generation milestone achieved by Scotrenewables Tidal Power, stating it paves the way for marine energy to become a mainstream part of Scotland’s energy mix.
Hailing the announcement made by the Orkney-based tidal developer that its prototype SR2000 floating tidal turbine generated 3GWh of clean power in its first year of operation at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC), Hannah Smith , Senior Policy Manager at Scottish Renewables, said:
“This milestone for the tidal energy industry truly demonstrates the untapped potential of this emerging sector. Scotland’s remarkable marine energy resource has placed us front and center in developing this industry with global potential.”
However, Smith reiterated the ‘critical’ need for both Scottish and UK governments to recognize the marine energy sector’s potential and help bring it to the market.
“Scotrenewables’ technology has generated more power in its first year than Scotland’s entire wave and tidal sector produced before it. This remarkable achievement paves the way for marine energy to become a mainstream part of Scotland’s energy mix while cutting carbon, and delivering jobs and investment to our remote communities.
“To keep driving progress it’s critical that both Scottish and UK governments recognize the potential of these technologies and work with industry to fully commercialize these innovations,” Smith concluded.