A new study commissioned by Crown Estate Scotland, and carried out by Everoze has provided a potential way forward for a more localized approach to offshore renewable energy deployment in coastal and island communities across Scotland.
The study looked at six scenarios linked to a number of renewable technologies such as floating wind, wave, and tidal energy, and analyzed how they could support the development of key industries, including whisky and salmon farming, in coastal locations.
The findings and recommendations highlight the potential of Scotland’s coastal and island communities to benefit from renewable energy developments which are tailor-made for their locations. This includes a summary of how the public, private and community sectors can work together to bring down barriers to the development of local level offshore renewables, Crown Estate wrote.
Colin Palmer , head of Marine at Crown Estate Scotland, said: “This study emphasizes that even in Scotland’s most remote locations there could be opportunities to develop energy solutions. Providing the right technology can be matched to the right setting, there is huge potential for communities across Scotland to benefit from a wide range of technologies suited to their needs.”
Audrey MacIver , director of Energy and Low Carbon at Highlands and Islands Enterprise added: “We share a common interest with Crown Estate Scotland in realizing the benefits from offshore renewables in our coastal communities. Understanding the potential for emerging technologies, such as wave, tidal and floating wind, to contribute towards a more local, low carbon decentralized energy system is a helpful step forward in facilitating both community engagement and in driving forward the commercial development of these technologies.”
Crown Estate Scotland manages seabed leasing as well as just under half of the coastline, working with coastal and island communities to support sustainable development of the blue economy.