Marine renewables in Scotland (with thanks to SRF for this material)

INTRODUCTION

Scotland possesses a huge marine energy resource due to the powerful waves and tidal currents that exist around its coastline in areas such as the north and west coasts, Orkney, Shetland, the Western Isles and the Pentland Firth. In 2001, it was reported that up to 21.5 GW of wave and tidal energy capacity could be produced in Scottish waters, with the potential to provide 79.2 TWh per year, equivalent to 22% of the total UK energy consumption. The wave and tidal energy sectors are both emerging technologies and both involve coastal and offshore installations facing similar challenges. However there is a clear distinction between the two: waves are created through the action of wind over water, tides are caused by the gravitation pull of the moon on the seas.

MARINE DEVELOPMENT

Various devices are being developed to harness marine energy and convert it into electricity. Some of these are being tested at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney, which offers test facilities and has developed internationally recognised accreditation standards. The availability of these facilities 'provides a huge opportunities for Scotland and the UK to lead in the development of testing and accreditation standards that will be vital to the progress of the marine energy technologies worldwide' (FREDS Marine Energy Group Report). One grid-connected onshore wave energy device (the Limpet) with an installed capacity of 270 kW is already operating on the Isle of Islay.

MARINE ENERGY POTENTIAL

The Forum of Renewable Energy Development in Scotland (FREDS) proposed in 2004 that by 2020:

1. 10% of Scotland's electricity production could come from marine resources
2. 1,300MW of marine energy capacity could be installed in Scottish waters, increasing at a rate of 100MW per year
3. Scottish-based marine energy companies could be supplying major international export markets
4. 7,000 direct jobs could be created in a diverse marine industry in Scotland.

In 2006, Scottish Renewables reported that 0.16GW of wave and tidal energy could be operational by the end of 2010, provided that the right support is in place. However, if the current pace of marine development and deployment is not accelerated, Scotland could rue the loss of a major economic opportunity, just when there is the chance to become a major player in the export of renewables technology.

MARINE ENERGY SUPPORT

The revised Renewables Obligation (Scotland), or ROS, came into effect in April 2007 and provides more support for emerging technologies, such as wave and tidal generators. It introduces a banded obligation on suppliers requiring a minimum amount of electricity generated to be sourced from wave and tidal. To encourage project development within Scotland further, a £13 million support scheme, launched in February 2007 by the Scottish Executive, is providing funding to nine projects. This support is significant as power projects take a minimum of two years to plan, permit and finance and commercial partners need a clear indication of ongoing policy commitment and financial support to marine technologies.

In 2005 a Scottish firm, Ocean Power Delivery, now Pelamis Wave Power, signed an order with a Portuguese consortium to build the initial phase of the world's first commercial wave farm consisting of three 'Pelamis' wave energy converters. The euro 8 million project will have an installed capacity of 2.25MW and is expected to meet the average electricity demand of more than 1,500 Portuguese households. Scottish firms have led the manufacturing of these devices, proving that Scottish companies have the skills needed for marine manufacturing. If the first markets for marine energy are created overseas then there is a danger that the technology will be developed elsewhere and Scottish companies will shirt to where the market is greatest.

BARRIERS

The FREDS marine energy report recognised the significance of the transmission and distribution network as a major constraint to marine development and expressed serious concern that 'the lack of national and local grid capacity remains one of the key barriers and risks to developing a successful marine energy industry in the UK.' (FREDS Marine Energy Group Report 2004).

Scottish Renewables shares this concern. Active management of key distribution areas, such as the Orkney Islands, could open up sufficient capacity to allow the required connection of first generation wave and tidal devices. However, longer term there is a need for new thinking on managing connections, both for distribution and transmission, to ensure that future capacity is not frozen out of the networks. Scottish Renewables' Making Connections addresses these issues.

There are currently significant delays in the Scottish planning system whereby other renewables, such as onshore wind and hydropower developments, have been subject to an average determination time of 24 months for Section 36 consents. It is likely that future marine energy developments will suffer similar planning delays if this is not resolved.

FREDS called for absolute clarity on the ownership and operation of the consents regime for offshore renewable energy developments. Scottish Renewables is working closely with the Executive on this issue, and calling for a 'one-stop-shop' on planning and consents for offshore renewables projects. The current consultation on the Marine Bill White Paper, to which Scottish Renewables is responding, covers some of these issues.

Further, the Scottish Executive's Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) (March 2007) which examines the environmental impacts of harnessing energy from the marine environment, focusing on the west coast of Scotland, Orkney, Shetland and the Pentland First, will be used to inform national and local decisions on marine renewable energy policy and development of individual projects.

FREDS MARINE ENERGY NETWORK

Scottish Renewables has established a Network to take forward co-ordination of marine energy work. Funded by the Scottish Executive and Highlands & Islands Enterprise, this Network aims to link all relevant organisations and stakeholders within the Scottish marine energy industry through briefing events, regular bulletins and an annual seminar and to promote discussion on issues of common interest and concern.