Marine Scotland must ensure that the development of wave, tidal and offshore wind energy sectors is achieved in a sustainable manner in the seas around Scotland. To address the various issues and challenges of developing marine renewables, a number of projects have been initiated to provide solutions and support to partner organisations and Industry. In particular, Marine Scotland is leading a research programme to improve knowledge on the potential environmental impacts of marine renewables.
A Research Strategy has also been developed to show current research priorities that are planned for delivery this year (2011/12) and those that will be commissioned next financial year (2012/13).
In conjunction with developing the renewables sector, the Scottish Government is also committed to ensuring that Scotland and its local communities receive direct and tangible benefits from the exploitation of our natural resources of wind, wave and tidal power.
Current Marine Energy Research Projects
Seabird Research:
- Table of Work Packages
- Work Package B: An assessment of the sensitivity of Scottish seabirds to interactions with offshore wind developments.
- Work Package E: Population sizes of seabirds breeding in Scottish SPAs – Final report
- Work Package G: Effects of Displacement from marine renewable developments on seabirds breeding at SPAs - a proof of concept model of common guillemots breeding on the Isle of May.
Migratory Fish Research:
- Work is ongoing for this programme and information will be published soon.
Marine Mammal Research:
- Work is ongoing for this programme and information will be published soon.
Marine Scotland/Scottish Natural Heritage Marine Renewables Research Group
Pentland Firth & Orkney (2008 Surveys)
Pentland Firth & Orkney (2009 Surveys)
- Generic Research: Guidance on Survey and Monitoring in relation to marine (wave and tide) renewable deployments in Scotland.