HIE eyes 'ambitious' marine energy target
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That was the message from Audrey MacIver, head of energy – supply chain and developer engagement at Highland and Islands Enterprise, who said the marketing of the area is its number one priority to secure the benefits of wind and marine tidal development.
She spoke during the Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters Leadership Forum wave and tidal energy information day in Thurso last Wednesday.
Around a dozen organisations were present at the event – including MeyGen, Scrabster Harbour Trust, Wick Harbour Authority and the Crown Estate – to give updates on their latest developments to help meet the challenges of delivering a 1.6GW wave and tidal power industry in the Pentland Firth and Orkney waters by 2020.
Ms MacIver said in terms of placing actual devices in the water, it is unlikely there will be much movement off Caithness next year but the agency’s focus will be on the promotion of the region which will lead to large-scale development towards the end of the decade.
“We are taking some major steps to help get more devices in the water as we approach 2020,” she said. “With the region being branded a marine energy park, we hope to share the findings of the national renewable infrastructure plan and take it into the market to demonstrate the benefits that exist here.
“We will continue to work in research and demonstration of the devices and focus on issues such as cabling and arrays, taking us from the stage of putting one device in the water to multiple devices.
“It is also hoped the supply chain in Caithness will get more valuable on-the-job experience, as is happening in Orkney, and greater clarity of project timescales and procurement timetables subject to consents.”
Twelve projects are now under development by 12 companies, some working on more than one project and some working in joint ventures.
Eleven of the projects were announced in 2010. Over this period, developers have been surveying sites, starting to prepare environmental impact assessments and undertaking engineering design activities.
Ms MacIver said Scotland is the home of marine renewables and continues to be a world leader in their development.
She is pleased with the progress that has been made so far and said both Caithness and Orkney have a lot to look forward to.
“Our shared purpose is the effective delivery of 1.6GW of wave and tidal power in the Pentland Firth and Orkney waters by 2020.
“By doing so we are supporting a new commercial single energy industry and securing the massive economic and social benefits for Scotland.”
Sir Anthony Cleaver, chairman of the Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership, said the displays from organisations at the event helped ensure people received the fullest possible picture of current and planned work.
“As CNSRP’s partners work together to move the area’s economy away from its dependence on Dounreay decommissioning work, it is important that young people can have confidence that they will have economic opportunities in the north.
“This year has brought us a number of significant forward steps for marine energy in the area and events like this week’s can have a significant impact in ensuring the public are well informed of the likely opportunities ahead.”
