Good news buoys marine energy event

17th September 2016

Optimism from Scotland's wave and tidal energy sectors, fuelled by the Meygen's product launch on Monday, boosted delegates at Scottish Renewables' Marine Conference in Inverness this week.

Recent successes from Scotrenewables, Nova Innovation and Sustainable Marine Energy have been complemented by the launch of the world's largest tidal stream energy scheme.

Representatives from those companies joined 150 delegates for the annual event, which was held in association with Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).

Those attending were reassured by Atlantis Resources' Tim Cornelius, who addressed one of the largest current concerns over what kind of role wave and tidal will play in future Contracts for Difference allocation rounds.

He said: "There are very clever people working on the CfD problem, and I am confident there will be a solution. The tidal sector’s rapid progress had created an unprecedented opportunity for turbine suppliers and this is a challenge for the company that will be addressed by diversification across the supply chain."

Optimism from Scotland’s wave and tidal energy sectors, fuelled by the Meygen’s product launch on Monday, boosted delegates at Scottish Renewables’ Marine Conference in Inverness this week.

Recent successes from Scotrenewables, Nova Innovation and Sustainable Marine Energy have been complemented by the launch of the world’s largest tidal stream energy scheme.

Representatives from those companies joined 150 delegates for the annual event, which was held in association with Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).

Those attending were reassured by Atlantis Resources’ Tim Cornelius, who addressed one of the largest current concerns over what kind of role wave and tidal will play in future Contracts for Difference allocation rounds.

He said: "There are very clever people working on the CfD problem, and I am confident there will be a solution. The tidal sector’s rapid progress had created an unprecedented opportunity for turbine suppliers and this is a challenge for the company that will be addressed by diversification across the supply chain."

"The current uncertainty around a route to market presents issues, and it was good to hear some optimism on this front from Atlantis, the largest marine developer, at the conference.

"Access to finance and grid connections were two other perennial issues still described as critical, but hopefully long-term efforts to grow investor confidence are starting to pay dividends, and innovation in areas like energy storage could provide opportunities to solve at least some of the problems faced by the industry."

The Marine Conference, which was held at Eden Court Theatre, Inverness, was sponsored by Wave Energy Scotland, AREG, The Crown Estate and the University of the Highlands and Islands.