UK: Natural Power Releases Two Guides

Leading renewable energy consultancy Natural Power is helping Scottish coastal communities with two new guidance documents published this week.

The reports will be announced by the Scottish Energy Minister Fergus Ewing at today’s Scottish Renewables Marine Energy Conference. They highlight the socio-economic benefits that wave and tidal projects can bring by involving local businesses in the development and operational phases, generating sustainable revenue for their communities. They also provide a step-by-step guide to the marine project lifecycle, an overview of marine energy technologies, and outline the environmental and engineering assessments that are required to identify and assess opportunities.

The Islay Tidal Energy Feasibility Study builds upon Natural Power’s previous work for Islay Energy Trust (IET) – which involved examining the potential for wave and tidal development in the seas around Islay – by pinpointing the areas for optimal exploitation of tidal energy and giving detailed information on the various assessments that would be required in an application for consent. The Guidance for Communities on the Development of Wave and Tidal Projects report will assist coastal communities around Scotland interested in exploiting local marine renewable resources.

Both reports were published by the community-owned IET and funded by the Scottish Government’s Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES).

While there is an abundance of opportunities for wave and tidal projects in Scottish waters, the industry and its technologies are still in development. The project represents an opportunity to educate and engage with local coastal communities while the technology is still in its infancy.

 Fergus Ewing, the Scottish Government’s Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism, welcomed the reports. He said: “Scotland has an incredible wealth of energy resources from a range of generating technologies, capable of meeting our energy needs within the communities. It is important that we do what we can to ensure coastal communities are ready and able to grasp the opportunities as the wave and tidal sector develops. Through CARES we shall continue to work with IET to help it progress its ambitions and stand ready to help other communities take these first steps into development. We should not underestimate the complexity or risk associated with such engagement. That’s why it is vital that we give communities the tools to be able to make informed decisions.”

IET’s Chairman, Philip Maxwell, hopes that publication of the Islay Study will act as a catalyst for development of Islay’s considerable tidal resources. He said “Islay is home to Scotland’s first consented tidal project – ScottishPower Renewables’ Sound of Islay Tidal Project. The purpose of this Study is to build upon Islay’s reputation in order to create a new industry which can generate sustainable, socio-economic benefits for the local community.”

 Neil Douglas, Natural Power’s Director of Wave and Tidal Projects, said: “Navigating the complex technical, environmental, political and financial issues that face any renewable energy project can be a daunting prospect for community-based organisations. We hope that this report, based as it is on nearly two decades of practical experience in renewable energy project delivery, provides valuable guidance to coastal communities who have an ambition to benefit from the abundant wave and tidal energy potential that exists around the Scottish coastline.”

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Press release, September 16, 2013; Image: naturalpower