Saltire Prize Unattainable for Scottish Wave, Tidal Energy Developers

The GBP 10 million Saltire Prize, created by the Scottish Government to accelerate the commercial development of wave and tidal energy technology, could easily be left without an awardee, since all four companies competing for it are currently far away from meeting the challenge, according to The Herald. 

Namely, the Saltire Prize requires the developers to generate 100 GWh by having their projects up and running continuously for two years by June 2017, which, for some companies, looks all but likely.

The companies competing for the prize are: Aquamarine Power, ScottishPower Renewables, West Islay Tidal, and MeyGen. Initially, Pelamis Wave Power was also in the competition, before it went into administration at the end of last year.

At the moment, only MeyGen could achieve the 100 GWh, however, its turbines are scheduled to be set up in the second half of 2016.

The Herald quoted a source close to Aquamarine Power as commenting: “Even with their device, the timescales would be particularly challenging.

“The ambition will be achieved, it’s just not going to be achieved in the timescale.

“It seemed a reasonable ambition when the prize was launched but it is proving longer and harder to achieve than first anticipated.”

Offshore WIND Staff; Image: The Saltire Prize