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Hebrides in pioneering global marine energy race 22/9/10
The Crown Estate is to invite bids to lease the seabed off the west coast of the Western Isles in support of the Scottish Government’s £10 million Saltire Prize.
As reported in Hebrides News in March an area west of the Hebrides is one of only four sea areas around Scotland earmarked for the lucrative bounty for wave energy developers.
The cash prize is on offer from the Scottish Government for the best commercial idea in viable marine energy technology that generates at least 100 Gigawatts of electricity at sea over a two years period.
The Crown Estate which controls the seabed is to invite proposals for projects up to 30 MW capacity through a new competition framework.
Starting next month, there will be a series of six monthly application windows.
Energy Minister Jim Mather said: "The Saltire Prize is our £10 million challenge to the world to push back the boundaries of marine energy innovation. With two confirmed applicants and over 150 registrations of interest from around the world, the Saltire Prize will accelerate the commercial development of wave and tidal energy technology.
Comhairle Leader, Councillor Angus Campbell, said, “We are delighted by this news. This is the culmination of a long process of lobbying by the Comhairle and its partners.
“We met several times with senior personnel in the Scottish Government and The Crown Estate to promote West of Hebrides as the perfect Saltire challenge location.
Saltire status will drive investment at Arnish and Lews Castle College but it is now absolutely critical that necessary Grid improvements are accelerated to accommodate these deployments.
“This announcement represents a turning point in the fortunes of these islands, putting us firmly on the energy map and telling the world that the Outer Hebrides are well and truly open for business.”