This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Ministers back marine power
20/09/2006
New proposals to support marine energy development projects were unveiled today by the Executive.
They aim to provide increased financial returns to wave and tidal generators, giving the sector the incentive needed to grow and contribute to Scotland's renewable energy ambitions.
Suppliers are already required to provide an increasing level of renewable electricity to their customers in Scotland each year.
The current system does not distinguish between technologies, meaning that lowest cost solutions like hydro and wind are providing the bulk of renewable output.
Though recognising the valuable nature of these contributions, Ministers say they are determined to create a diverse renewables portfolio.
Today's consultation proposals will mean suppliers will be specifically obliged to produce initially small but increasing amounts of electricity from wave or tidal generation.
The proposed system will reward success, and offers potentially up to a four-fold increase in revenues for marine renewable developments, based on actual power production.
Deputy First Minister and Enterprise Minister Nicol Stephen said:
"Today's consultation provides clear signal and creates a real incentive for investment in wave and tidal technology. Our aim is for a new green credits support system to be in place by Spring 2007.
"I firmly believe that Scotland has the potential to be the renewables powerhouse of Europe and a world leader in wave and tidal energy.
"Our conditions make marine energy potential particularly high in Scotland. It is vital that we do all we can to harness the vast wave and tidal opportunities as soon as possible.
"I have already announced £8 million to kick-start the marine industry in Scotland and recently launched a further £6 million investment fund aimed at helping Scottish firms who want to develop in Scottish waters.
"Last month I saw the Scottish-made Pelamis wave energy device being prepared for use in Portugal. We have the technology, the companies and the conditions to get similar systems into Scottish waters."
The Renewables Obligation (Scotland), the ROS, was introduced in April 2002. It obliges suppliers with customers in Scotland to supply a certain amount of renewable electricity to those customers, with the size of the obligation increasing annually.
The ROS is technology neutral at present; that is, suppliers can meet their Obligation by securing generation from any renewable source. At present, suppliers meet their obligation almost entirely from hydro, onshore wind power and landfill gas schemes.
Scottish Ministers have set targets for the generation of electricity from renewable energy sources - 18 per-cent of electricity generated in Scotland (as a proportion of consumption) to be from renewable sources by 2010, rising to 40 per-cent by 2020.