This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Scotland can be 'renewables powerhouse'
06/10/2005
Scotland is determined to become a global leader in marine energy, a major European conference in Edinburgh was told today.
The sixth Inter-parliamentary Meeting on Renewables Energy and Energy Efficiency heard Deputy First Minister Nicol Stephen explain Scotland's future role in the development of renewable energy across the world.
Mr Stephen said:
"Harnessing clean energy sources could be an achievement for the 21st century to rival what the Victorians did in giving our towns clean water and sanitation.
"If tacking global climate change is to be meaningful we must change our culture of using fossil fuels and make them now.
"That Scotland has been chosen to host this conference is clear recognition of the potential for renewable energy that we have in this country.
"This country is very well placed to capitalise on the opportunities afforded by marine, biomass and wind energy and we are taking positive steps to deliver on our challenging targets.
"Renewables can reduce harmful emissions and help us to grow the economy and progress sustainable development at the same time.
"Where Iceland has geothermal energy and Austria uses biomass, Scotland has strong winds and high rainfall, which, for energy developers at least, are the envy of many other parts of Europe.
"I also want to see Scotland become a powerhouse for marine energy. The potential is clear and we must do more to exploit it.
"We will shortly be consulting on how to provide increased incentives to develop from wave and tidal technologies which will open up the market further. In this area, Scotland has a chance to create the future and lead the world."
The conference will run over three days. Previous meetings have been held in the Canary Islands, Madiera, Gotland, Santiago de Compostela and Athens.
It is expected that 100-150 parliamentarians (MPs, MEPs, regional MPs), Commissioners, Ministers, government officials and high-level representatives from India, China, Japan, USA and African states will attend.