Interesting article to read on the growth of wave/tidal power in the North Sea. Is this renewable energy source coming into its own in terms of viability and ROI?
The debate over the viability and future of wind power in Scotland is omnipresent. But another form of renewable energy could soon become part of the national energy revolution – wave and tidal energy.
To date, the sector has been something of a cottage industry. Pioneers have been pushing forward for some years but, without the support from Scotland’s biggest energy firms and political leaders, it has – until now – remained a commercially unproven technology.
Scotland enjoys about 25 per cent of Europe’s tidal stream resource. The potential is there but accessing the energy in an economically viable and safe manner is today’s challenge.
As a nation, Scotland is already exporting wind energy. Yet, only 30 years ago, the concept of capturing low cost, large-scale energy in such volumes was a distant vision.
The country’s wave and tidal energy sector now finds itself in a similar place. At last, large sums of money are beginning to find their way into the sector. The Scottish Government is to be congratulated for its multi-million-pound injection of funds. This sign of political commitment has been a major encouragement for the energy firms and universities who are following suit.
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