Scots turn to wave power

Renewable wave and tidal energy could provide up to 10% of Scotland's electricity production and create around 7,000 new jobs under measures announced this week by the Scottish Executive, the devolved Government for Scotland.

Deputy First Minister and Enterprise Minister Ninol Stephen said he was making major changes to renewable energy regulations – specifically the Renewables (Scotland) Obligation - to kick start multi-million pound investments in marine energy.

The Minister told Offshore Europe delegates at the new Science and Energy Park in Aberdeen that he would take action to award additional Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs) to wave and tidal output, with the aim of putting Scotland at the global forefront of marine energy.

"Tens of millions of pounds of support will be available - with the potential for hundreds of millions to be invested in new wave and tidal projects around Scotland's shores,” said Mr. Stephen.

The Executive's target is that 18% of electricity generated in Scotland should come from renewable sources by 2010, rising to 40% by 2020.

The Renewables (Scotland) Obligation requires power suppliers to derive from renewable sources a specified proportion of the electricity they supply to their customers. Eligible renewable generators receive Renewables Obligation Certificates (ROCs) for each MWh of electricity generated. These certificates can then be sold to suppliers, in order to fulfil their obligation. Suppliers can either present enough certificates to cover the required percentage of their output, or they can pay a 'buyout' price.

The Executive will now consider the amendments necessary to the Obligation which will allow additional ROCs to be provided for units of output from wave and tidal devices.

The Forum for Renewable Energy Development Scotland (FRESD) published a report 'Harnessing Scotland's Marine Energy Potential' in 2004 which assessed the potential for developing wave and tidal energy in Scotland, and produced an action plan for developing that potential.

The report can be found at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/1086/0006191.pdf