WIREDGOV

A doughnut and an oyster are among five marine energy projects sharing £13 million to harness the power of the sea.

The grants from the WATERS fund (Wave and Tidal Energy: Research, Development and Demonstration Support) will help develop emerging energy technologies and improve the operation of marine renewables devices.

WATERS is a collaboration between the Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise with support from European Regional Development Funds.

The grants are:

• RWE npower renewables - to support construction of one of the world's largest wave stations, the ten turbine, 4 megawatt Siadar project off the Western Isles - £6 million
• Aquamarine Power - to support demonstration of Aquamarine's Oyster 3 project at the European Marine Energy Centre in Orkney - £3.15 million
• OpenHydro - to support a power conversion / control system to deliver a cost effective method of connecting marine energy devices in tidal arrays - £1.85 million
• AWS Ocean Energy - to support tests in Loch Ness and the Cromarty Firth of AWSs wave energy converter, sections of which would join together to form the device's 'doughnut' shape - £1.39 million
• Ocean Flow Energy - to build and deploy the 'Evopod', a 35 kilowatt floating grid connected tidal energy turbine at Sanda Sound in South Kintyre - 560,000

Speaking ahead of a visit to AWS Ocean Energy's 'doughnut' device on Loch Ness today, Energy Minister Jim Mather said:

"Our seas have unrivalled potential to generate clean, green energy and bring jobs, investment and know how to Scotland. We have a quarter of Europe's potential tidal energy resource and a tenth of the wave capacity - a resource already drawing developers and innovators to Scotland's seas as we have seen with planned activity in the Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters.

"This funding is another step on the road to a low carbon Scotland that maximises its resources for a sustainable future. Initial costs for marine energy are high and capital is needed - these grants will help attract further private investment. Our support will ensure a continuous stream of ideas and technologies can be tested, developed and refined at our world class testing centre on Orkney and elsewhere around Scotland.

"With the incentives we have put in place for commercial marine energy generation, our £10 million Saltire Prize - Scotland's energy challenge to the world - and our innovative low carbon investment project, Scotland is one of the most attractive markets for investment in wave and tidal power anywhere. Working with our enterprise agencies and other partners to develop our full potential, we will make Scotland a global leader in marine energy."

Paul Lewis, Managing Director, Sector and Commercialisation for Scottish Enterprise, commented:

"Each of the companies receiving a WATERS grant has the ambition and potential to exploit their projects for business growth. We know there is a huge global appetite for clean and sustainable energy and, with projects like those announced today, Scotland is clearly demonstrating its leadership in marine energy innovation."

Audrey MacIver, joint head of energy at Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), said:

"HIE is underpinning government support for renewable energy by working to ensure our region offers a first class range of infrastructure, skills and a collaborative supply chain which will enable this emerging industry to deliver maximum gains for Scotland's economy."

Johanna Yates, Policy Manager for Marine and Hydro at Scottish Renewables:

"This year continues to see significant steps forward for the marine renewables industry in Scotland. Today's announcement of the £15 million WATERS fund adds to 2010's achievements and is welcomed by the industry."

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