This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Scotland well placed to exploit new technology
29/05/2002
Scotland is in a prime position to develop and exploit the
opportunities presented by emerging renewable energy
technology, Minister for Environment and Rural Development Ross
Finnie said today.
Speaking at the All Energy Opportunities Conference in
Aberdeen, he highlighted the potential of the emerging sector,
not just in terms of generating clean energy, but in
establishing a new Scottish industry able to compete in an
international market.
Mr. Finnie said:
"From onshore and offshore wind power to wave and tidal
stream power, renewable energy presents tremendous
opportunities for Scotland. We cannot and will not let these
pass by. We already produce some 13 per cent of our energy
needs from clean, renewable sources, and there is massive
potential to expand this, to benefit everyone with a cleaner
environment.
"But the potential for renewable energy doesn't stop there.
With its history of working in difficult environments such as
the North Sea in pursuit of oil and gas, Scotland is ideally
placed to build its existing expertise and world-wide
reputation for engineering excellence.
"That means jobs to provide the infrastructure for Scotland,
and the chance to compete for a slice of the rapidly growing
international market, which could be as much as £10 billion per
year by 2010."
All-Energy Opportunities 2002 was sponsored by The Society
for Underwater Technology, held in association with the British
Wind Energy Association and with the support of Aberdeen City
Council, Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce,
EnergyWeb.net, Industrial & Power Association, The
International Marine Contractors Association, Offshore
Contractors' Association, Scottish Council for Development and
Industry, Scottish Energy Environment Foundation, Scottish
Enterprise, Scottish Renewables Forum and Seapower.
Following on from the success of the first event in the
series which was held in February 2001, the two-day May
All-Energy Opportunities Conference in Aberdeen focuses on
taking a down-to-earth look at the growing new renewables
market by providing up-to-date market overviews for windy
(onshore and offshore) and wet (wave and tidal stream)
renewables, and examining supply chain issues; methods of
deployment and installation, turbine technology, and wave and
tidal advances.
The renewables sector is expected to grow at an astonishing
rate over the next few years. The home market for offshore wind
projects is currently estimated at £35 million by the end of
2001, rising to £6 billion (to include Europe) by 2006, while
the onshore wind market will reach £1 billion/year by 2010. The
wave and tidal turbine (stream) markets are each expected to
reach £1 billion/year by 2010.
Work underway to support and promote renewables
includes:
- the introduction this year of the Renewables Obligation
Scotland, which will encourage electricity suppliers to provide
18 per cent of their supplies from renewable sources by 2010;
the publication this summer of increased targets for renewable
energy towards 2020;
- a planned Marine Energy Test Centre in Orkney, which will
provide our indigenous manufacturers with a base from which to
test, develop, promote and sell their ground-breaking
products;
- finalising proposals for an Energy Research Institute
which will enable forward - thinkers to provide solutions to
link across the energy sectors and successfully commercialise
the results; and
- we already boast four of the world's leading wave
companies, and have supported three wave power projects under
the Scottish Renewables Obligation (3) - predecessor to the
Renewables Obligation Scotland (2002).