Wave and tidal energy in Scotland
Scotland is leading the world in the development and commercialisation of wave and tidal energy. Scotland’s natural environment offers the perfect location for wave and tidal energy investment.
We benefit from 25 percent of Europe’s tidal energy and 10 percent of Europe’s wave resources.
Wave and tidal energy in Scotland – an overview
Scotland has pioneered marine energy investment with the world’s first round of commercial wave and tidal leasing. Six wave and five tidal schemes are to be developed in the Pentland Firth and Orkney Water.
These projects range from 50-200 MW and, by 2020, will generate 1.6 GW of marine energy off Scotland’s north coast, enough to power 70,000 homes.
Scotland’s commitment to wave and tidal energy investment has seen the launch of the the Scottish Government backed, £10 million Saltire Prize: the largest innovation prize in history.
The Saltire Prize will go to a comercially viable wave or tidal stream energy technology that generates at least 100 GWh of electricity over two years using only the power of the sea.
Our vibrant oil and gas industry and expertise in offshore and deep water operations means or marine energy sector benefits from a talented, cost-competitive working population.
Scotland is also a vibrant location for the development of wave and tidal devices. Devices currently being tested in Scotland include:
- P2 (wave energy)
- Penguin (wave energy)
- Oyster 800 (wave energy)
- HS1000 (tidal energy)
- DeepGen (tidal energy)
- Open Centre Turbine (tidal energy)
- AR1000 (wave energy)
- SR250 (wave energy)
Scotland’s world class universities contain a number of research and development centres charged with providing support for the wave and tidal energy sector, encouraging growth and building strong links with the business community.
Scotland’s wave and tidal energy strengths