Wave and tidal energy still need support, Marine Conference will hear
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HOW Scotland can hang on to its global lead in tide and wave power technology will be one of the key topics of conversation at this year's Scottish Renewables Marine Conference in Inverness.
Although more wave and tidal devices have been deployed in the Highlands and Islands than in the rest of the world combined, that lead could be squandered if the sector does not receive support on a comparable level with other nations or cannot create a viable route to market.
Hannah Smith, senior policy manager at Scottish Renewables, said: “It’s fair to say that the process of developing viable wave and tidal energy devices has suffered challenges and setbacks aplenty in recent years – but significant progress has been made, too.
“Today, wave and tidal energy are in very different places. The focus on technology improvement for wave energy remains, with Wave Energy Scotland progressing the world’s largest development programme.
“Tidal energy is far closer to commercialisation. Edinburgh-based Nova Innovation began deploying the world’s first fully operational tidal array in Shetland in 2016, and the MeyGen project, for example, was advanced enough to bid competitively to sell the power it generates to the UK network.
“Unfortunately, however, these innovative new technologies are unable to compete with the very low auction price of offshore wind, which has effectively left marine energy locked out of the mechanism to sell its power at scale."
Miss Smith also warned that while the potential for marine power is immense, if the industry does not get the backing it needs, it will soon lose its world lead in the technology.
“The very real risk here is that developers of marine energy devices will go abroad," she said.
"The sector in France, for example, has received strong government support, including supporting tariffs that makes it attractive for developers.
“Industry is calling on the UK government to recognise that wave and tidal are at a different stage of development to mature technologies like wind and solar power, and to support them until they can compete.
“Doing so would allow these devices, and the skills which they’re helping Scotland create, tap into an enormous potential global market, driving supply chain and social benefits for the whole of UK Plc.”
The Scottish Renewables Marine Conference will take place at Eden Court Theatre on September 9 and 10, when other topics under discussion will include the latest technological innovations, updates on the latest UK and Scottish Government policy, and potential funding sources.
Speakers will include Scottish Renewables chief executive Claire Mack, Highlands and Islands Enterprise director of energy and low carbon Audrey MacIver and Marine Energy Council chairwoman Sue Barr.
For more information or to book tickets for the conference and dinner, visit www.scottishrenewables.com/events/marine19/
