Orkney visit gives UK Energy Minister insight into tidal power potential
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
UK energy minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan enjoyed a close up look at the pioneering tidal power technology kickstarting a new UK renewables industry.
Ms Trevelyan, the UK minister for energy, clean growth and climate change, was joined by David Duguid MP, UK government minister for Scotland, Richard Graham MP, chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for marine energy, and various UK Marine Energy Council (MEC) members for the visit to the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkneyto see the developments taking place in ocean energy.
The visitors were met by Neil Kermode, EMEC’s managing director, prior to heading out to sea to visit EMEC’s Fall of Warness tidal test site and see tidal turbines by Orbital Marine Power and Magallanes Renovables in action.
The Scottish-built Orbital O2 turbine was developed with 80 per cent UK supply chain content highlighting the national opportunities for industry development and positive economic impact, while the Spanish-founded ATIR tidal turbine by Magallanes demonstrates the inward investment and export opportunities for Scotland and the UK which tidal power can offer.
The visit was followed by discussions with EMEC and Orkney Islands Council representatives on the marine energy opportunities for Orkney and the archipelago’s wider energy landscape. This was followed by a roundtable lunch with MEC members and ocean energy supply chain companies to discuss the tangible potential ocean energy offers to level up coastal and island areas and to further the just transition as a nascent renewable energy industry with notable export potential for the UK.
Prior to departure, the ministers also visited EMEC’s hydrogen fuel cell and storage trailers at Kirkwall Pier and were introduced to members of EMEC’s operations team who outlined how the green hydrogen economy is developing in Orkney.
Ms Trevelyan, said: “The British coastline offers enormous potential for marine power to form part of our transition to a low carbon economy.
“It was a privilege to visit the European Marine Energy Centre in Orkney today, to see first-hand the incredible work taking place to develop wave and tidal energy technology, and kick start an entire new renewables industry in the UK.
“Being an island nation means we are in the best position possible to reap the benefits of our natural, renewable resources to produce clean energy, helping us build back greener from the pandemic and reach our ambitious climate goals.”
Mr Duguid added: “It was great to see EMEC's tidal test site first-hand and get a feel for the fantastic work taking place in the marine energy sector.
“As we prepare to host COP26 in Glasgow in November the eyes of the world will be on the UK to show leadership and innovation as we work towards our net zero ambitions. Orkney’s marine energy sector has real potential to help create a world-leading clean energy industry, supporting the transition to a greener future while providing a boost to the local economy and community.”
EMEC managing director Neil Kermode commented: “A visit to Orkney offers a glimpse into our energy future. Orkney is a pathfinder to net zero - a living laboratory with a track record in innovation and a world-leading centre for marine energy. The flexibility, predictability and resilience offered by wave and tidal energy technologies, combined with positive economic impacts for coastal communities make marine energy an important part of the UK’s renewable energy mix. It was fantastic to host Rt Hon Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP and David Duguid MP and showcase the ongoing activities and future potential of both the industry and the archipelago.
“More marine energy devices have been tested at EMEC than at any other single site in the world which has prompted considerable investment and job creation in Orkney, Scotland and throughout the UK. With the right support to help these first-of-a-kind technologies reach commercial scale, we could see that impact replicated around UK waters and be exporting to global markets.”
Marine Energy Council chairwoman Sue Barr also welcomed the opportunity to discuss the extensive opportunities for wave and tidal stream energy in the UK.
"The visit illustrated the true extent of the sector’s economic potential, with supply chain activities carried out in engineering workshops and manufacturing plants spanning the length and breadth of the UK," she said.
“This domestic sector has the capability to lead the world, making a major contribution to the UK’s net zero targets, green recovery and the levelling-up agenda. We look forward to working with the UK Government to deliver upon the potential of the marine energy sector.”
