The Liberal MP for Shetland and Orkney has urged the Brit-govt to provide more practical support for the wave and tidal energy sector.
Although Alistair Carmichael did not expressly refer to Atlantis Resources by name, he clearly had its MeyGen tidal turbine project in the Pentland Firth in mind.
The UK government excluded tidal power its latest round of contracts for difference announced this Autumn.
Speaking at Scottish Question Time in the Westminster parliament, Carmichael said: “For the government’s industrial strategy to reach all parts of the United Kingdom, it should be an opportunity for Scotland to develop its potential in wave and tidal power.
“That is going to be something that is going to require a dedicated funding stream. What is the Scottish Secretary doing in collaboration with his colleagues in the Department for Business to ensure that we get that dedicated funding stream?
“The amount of money that would be needed is relatively small but could be transformative in terms of getting wave and tidal power to the point where they can be developed commercially.
“Orkney and Shetland are at the forefront of wave and tidal technology, and the future needs of this industry must be included in the Government’s strategy if it is to be described credibly as an industrial strategy for the whole of the UK.”
In reply, David Mundell, MP, said that he and colleagues in the Department for Business and Energy were well aware of the issues that Carmichael raised.
He said: “They are important to ensure the development of tidal energy in particular, and will continue to look at what funding can be made available for it,” he said.
See also:
Atlantis confirms go-ahead for next phase of large-scale MeyGen tidal power station off Caithness
11 Dec 2017
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