Council Leader highlights “staggering potential” of tidal energy project

17th September 2013

Leader of The Highland Council Drew Hendry has spoken of the “staggering potential” of the largest tidal energy project in Europe which is planned off the shores of Caithness. In welcoming guests at the Scottish Renewables Marine Conference at Eden Court, Inverness, on Monday evening, he focused on an announcement made earlier in the day by Scottish Government Energy Minister Fergus Ewing granting consent to MeyGen Ltd to “develop the largest tidal turbine array in Europe and the first commercial project off these shores”.

When fully operational, the 86 megawatt array could generate enough electricity to power the equivalent of 42,000 homes — around 40% of homes in the Highlands and the first phase for a site that could eventually yield up to 398 megawatts.

Councillor Hendry said: “In the context of the early days of marine energy these figures are of staggering potential. The exciting possibilities attached to harnessing the power of the sea for energy use will soon begin to capture the public imagination as what has, until now, been the stuff of science fiction becomes an energy fact.

“I am especially excited about this because the council has committed to aid the development of marine renewables, being a founding partner in the Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership. Through the formation of the Pentland Firth Tidal Energy Project, the partnership was at the forefront of the development of the world’s first commercial-scale leasing round for wave and tidal energy in the Pentland Firth and Orkney.

“The Council is also a partner in the Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters Leadership Forum, which aims to coordinate marine renewables activity in the Firth. We are playing a key role in developing the Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters marine spatial plan. This aims to support the sustainable development of marine renewables and associated industries in Caithness and Sutherland.

“In 2011, we outlined a 10-point Onshore Vision for North Highlands to support Marine Energy. Partners have committed in excess of £90m towards projects in the North Highlands that demonstrate our commitment to the sustainable development of the area. These include:-
· £20m invested in phase 1 of the Scrabster Harbour redevelopment

· £450,000 invested in phase 1 of the Wick Harbour redevelopment

· £16m investment in the Engineering, Technology and Energy Centre, and the Centre for Energy and the Environment at North Highland College

· £53m invested in two new primary schools and one new secondary school in Wick

· £2.3m invested in the “make the right connections” skills transition project, managed by Caithness Chamber of Commerce.”

In the Council’s Programme (2013-2017), “Working together for the Highlands”, the Council commits to working together for the economy, and to supporting the creation of quality jobs in the Highlands.
He added: “The development of the area’s marine renewables resource is crucial to this. The Council will support and invest in appropriate opportunities presented by renewable energy, particularly wave and tidal power.

“We will continue to develop the Highlands as a centre for research and development, fabrication and engineering. The Council also ensures efficient determination of planning applications and is promoting the use Processing Agreements and agreed timelines for delivery.”

He said the most important issue that the Council and its partners faced was ensuring that the area continued to retain a skilled workforce, one that is capable of delivering the skills and expertise that businesses tell us they require.

The Council is working with Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) as they work to ensure grid connectivity for renewable energy developers including the update of the Transmission Grid, and is an important opportunity for the Highland energy supply chain.
He concluded by highlighting the Council’s commitment to the vision of a “Carbon Neutral Inverness” in a “Low Carbon Highlands” by 2025. The Council was in a good position to lead on this by engaging with key stakeholders across the region to realise this goal.

Council Services had begun the process of identifying how they can all contribute to this goal. He said: “We want to be Carbon Clever and envisage a region committed to carbon emission reduction, where we lead by example, engage with others, utilising value for money methods that create economic benefits and raise awareness and promote behaviour change.”