Scottish Renewables comments on today’s launch of a new Marine Energy Park in the Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters by Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker.
Lindsay Roberts , Policy Manager for Scottish Renewables , who attended the official launch of the marine park in Thurso, said:
“The designation of Scotland’s first Marine Energy Park is further, well deserved recognition of the world leading innovation taking place in Scotland, the home of marine energy.
“With 1.6GW of potential capacity already being leased within these waters, the park is at the forefront of the world’s marine energy development.
“The Marine Energy Park designation builds on the success of existing centres of excellence such as EMEC (European Marine Energy Centre) in Orkney, which helps deliver fantastic education and employment opportunities for the local communities. We also hope this new designation will both support existing companies working in the marine energy sector and encourage new entrants who will help strengthen the supply chain; bringing much needed jobs and investment.
“This industry has huge potential to create as many as 10,000 jobs and attract billions of pounds worth of investment which will boost our economic growth, reduce carbon emissions and secure our energy supplies for many years to come.”
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Offshore WIND staff, July 30, 2012; Image: Scottish Renewables