tidal today

The Scottish Government is to provide financial support for tidal energy devices as it is proposing changes to the Renewables Obligation system to offer significantly more aid to marine renewable energy generators. 

This development emerged as a consultation on changes to the Renewables Obligation (Scotland), published recently, proposed new levels of finance for different types of renewable energy development in Scotland.

As per the information available, the proposed changes now mean wave devices which haven't received Government funding will attract five Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs), for every Megawatt of power produced, with tidal devices attracting three ROCs, according to the proposals. The Scottish Government said the ROC is currently worth around £47 per Megawatt-hour (MWh) of power produced, which would see wave power devices given £235 for every MWh produced under today's prices.

The move compares favourably with England and Wales where wave and tidal would receive two ROCs per Megawatt, meaning Scottish wave and tidal devices operators would receive more revenue for the electricity they generate, stimulating further investment in Scottish marine renewables.

Energy Minister Jim Mather said: "Scotland is surrounded by sea and our marine renewables potential is vast - estimated at around 25 percent of Europe's wave potential and 10 percent of tidal potential. Our natural resources mean we can be a world leader in new marine energy technologies."

"Banding the Renewables Obligation will allow us to stimulate increased investment and create new jobs in these embryonic energy technologies. The changes we propose give Scotland a lead over other parts of the UK - we are taking every opportunity to make Scotland the place to develop, test and generate electricity from our huge natural resources. In doing so, we can create a new, world leading industry here in Scotland while taking a global role in tackling climate change and reducing emissions."