McArthur Calls for Clarity Over Wave Energy
Funding
Orkney MSP Liam McArthur has called on the
Scottish Government to help provide clarity over future funding arrangements
for the wave energy sector. During General Questions in parliament earlier
today, Mr McArthur asked Finance Secretary John Swinney for an update on
progress with establishing the objectives and budget for Wave Energy Scotland.
He also sought an undertaking from Mr Swinney to investigate why payments
due to wave energy developer, Aquamarine Power had not been made and urged
him to ensure a decision was taken on this as early as possible.
Commenting afterwards, Mr McArthur said:
“With Pelamis going into administration
and Aquamarine Power scaling back its operations, there is little doubt
that the wave energy sector in Scotland has suffered two serious hammer
blows in recent months.
“We should not lose sight of the fact,
however, that advances have been made. Aquamarine, for example, has successfully
achieved a number of important milestones in the development of its Oyster
device. Support from the Marine Renewables Commercialisation Fund has been
important in enabling some of these successes to happen.
“Unfortunately, there is currently no
clarity from the Carbon Trust, which runs the MRCF, over whether agreed
funding is going to be released for works already completed. This is a
situation that presents serious challenges for the company.
“John Swinney has committed to investigate
this case and I welcome that constructive response. Hopefully, this intervention
can help provide the clarity that staff at Aquamarine Power so urgently
need in these very difficult times.”
