- Please note these pages are for information only. These pages were published for the launch of this support scheme. The closing date for applications has now passed.
INTRODUCTION
What is the Scottish Ministers' Wave and Tidal Energy Support Scheme?
The Scottish Ministers' Wave and Tidal Energy Support Scheme (the Scheme) has total funding of £13 million. It forms part of a suite of measures designed to accelerate the development of a wide range of renewable energy technologies, in line with Scottish Ministers' commitments.
Aim
The aim of the Scheme is to provide grants to businesses to support the installation and commissioning / deployment of pre-commercial wave and tidal electricity generating devices at the European Marine Energy Centre in Orkney. The scheme will also support components of projects requiring testing at EMEC e.g. mooring systems, foundation installation systems etc. that will lead to reduced project cost and/or improved operation and maintenance for the industry.
Requests for support that are not directly related to the deployment and demonstration of marine energy devices at EMEC, or, for research or demonstration that would have purely commercial outcomes for the proposer cannot be accommodated within this scheme.
Key objectives
- To support the early development of wave and tidal technologies that need to complete pre-competitive R&D through deployment and demonstration in Scotland;
- To capture key data on the resource, costs (construction, installation, commissioning, operational and maintenance) and energy performance and revenue;
- To produce in a clear, transparent and unambiguous report, an economic evaluation of all projects supported by the scheme, whilst maintaining the confidentiality of commercially sensitive information;
- To promote the development of a diverse renewables supply;
- To secure the increased learning benefits and cost reductions from the initial deployment of these devices; and
- To increase carbon savings in line with the Scottish Ministers' commitment as set out in 'Changing our Ways: Scotland's Climate Change Programme' published in 2006.
What is the scheme's legal basis?
The Scheme operates under the Scottish Government Sciences & Technology Act, 1965. State Aid approval for the scheme is via UK approval N504/2000 Renewables Obligations and Capital Grants for Renewable Technologies, and UK approval - N318/2005 Wave and Tidal Stream Energy Demonstration.
Where can I get further information?
The Scheme is funded entirely by the Scottish Ministers and is administered by the Renewables & Consents Policy Unit in the Scottish Government's Education Directorate. The Unit can be contacted at:
Renewables & Consents Policy Unit
Scottish Government
Meridian Court
5 Cadogan Street
Glasgow G2 6AT
Tel: 0141-242-5895
Fax: 0141-242-5807
E-mail: ceu@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
What kind of project is eligible?
Wave or tidal energy projects requiring support for deployment and/or demonstration; components of projects requiring testing e.g. mooring systems, foundation installation systems.
What kind of technology is eligible?
The scheme is targeted at the deployment, installation, commissioning and generation of renewable electricity from wave and tidal energy technologies. If the technology provides an electrical output alongside another output, for example high-pressure water, then the costs of producing the high-pressure water will only be eligible in circumstances where the high-pressure water is integral to the generation of electricity.
More detailed information on applicant and project eligibility can be found with the Guidance Notes.