This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Marine energy scheme open for applications
24/10/2006
An £8 million fund to support marine energy projects in Scottish waters and keep Scotland at the forefront of the world renewable energy drive is open for applications.
Deputy First Minister Nicol Stephen made the announcement at a major renewable energy convention in Beijing, where a number of Scottish energy companies are exhibiting their technology in China for the first time ever.
China is the world's second largest consumer of energy and its government has set a target to supply 10 per cent of energy (60 GW) from renewables by 2010 and 120 GW by 2020.
Mr Stephen told the international audience:
"Scottish companies have the skills and the industrial expertise to help meet China's renewables ambitions.
"Scotland can be the renewables powerhouse of Europe and has the potential to export our research and technology across the world. We are making tremendous progress in Scotland towards our own targets, exceeding the early estimates.
"In Scotland we have a number of first class renewable energy projects underway. We have the massive off-shore wind turbines being deployed by Talisman and Scottish & Southern Energy in deep water off the Beatrice oilfield - a world first in a deep water wind environment. We currently have the largest operating windfarm in the UK at Blacklaw and have started work on what will be the largest windfarm in Europe at Whitelee.
"But there is far more to renewable energy than wind-farms. Scotland has 25 per cent of Europe's tidal power potential. And we have wave power technology that is a world first. A Scottish company - Ocean Power Delivery - has developed Pelamis, the world's first commercial operating wave energy generator. I am determined to to continue to build momentum in marine energy.
"That is why I am delighted to announce that a £8 million fund is being opened today to support projects deploying devices at our European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney.
"This new fund - which complements the enhanced 'green credits' soon to be available for marine generation - will give a real boost to the young marine generation sector.
"As well as helping Scotland reach and surpass our renewable energy targets, Scottish expertise and technology can help other countries reach theirs. That is why I am delighted that a number of Scottish companies have taken the opportunity to bring their products to what is the world's second largest energy market.
"The Scottish renewable energy sector is something I am very proud of. I know that its international reputation can only be enhanced through its participation in major events such as this."
The Deputy First Minister was speaking at the Great Wall China Renewable Energy Conference in Beijing. It is the first event of its kind in China.
Scottish Development International is organising a Scottish Pavilion at the conference with participation from: Ocean Power Delivery; Sgurr Energy; Renewable Devices Energy Solutions Ltd; Proven Energy; PURE Energy Centre and St Andrews University Department of Chemistry; Strathclyde University Dept of Electrical Engineering.
The Chinese government declared target is to supply 10 per cent of energy (60 GW) from renewables by 2010 and 120 GW by 2020. About 50 GW of the 2010 target is expected from small hydro and 10 GW from wind and biomass together.
The marine energy fund - which today opens for applications - was announced by the Deputy First Minister in May this year. A total of £8 million is available to developers to provide up to 40 per cent capital costs and additional revenue support up to 100 per cent eligible costs, to support projects deploying devices at our European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney. The window for applications extends for the next four weeks and successful projects will be deployed within the next 18 months.