The UK’s first marine energy park is set to be developed in Scotland.
Greg Barker, the climate change minister, launched the Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters Marine Energy Park, last week.
The scheme, which could provide a number of opportunities to limited company contractors with experience in the energy sector, has been designed to drive growth in wave and tidal power production.
It will include the European Marine Energy Centre (Emec) on Orkney, where wave testing is already being carried out.
Scottish energy minister Fergus Ewing said that the scheme further underlines Scotland’s commitment to renewable energy.
"Progress in Scottish wave and tidal renewables has been staggering, but the Scottish government recognises that more financial support is needed to help the sector achieve its fullest potential,” he added.
"That is why we have committed over £30 million (including) investment at Emec, and why we are still continuing to invest in the sector with the £18 million Marine Renewables Commercialisation Fund created to accelerate the development and deployment of commercial arrays."
