Energy Secretary Amber Rudd’s energy reset speech was a “missed opportunity” for the wave and tidal sector, according to Scottish energy minister Fergus Ewing.
Speaking at the International Tidal Energy Summit in London, Ewing (pictured) said the failure of last week’s speech to mention ocean energy had caused uncertainty for investors in the sector.
“Amber Rudd has missed an opportunity to put in place a clear policy for marine energy support. There is clarity missing for investors, but perhaps she will be able to provide more clarity once the Chancellor’s spending review is over.”
Ewing reaffirmed Scottish government support for marine despite the recent placing into liquidation of wave developer Aquamarine Power.
“We have, we are and we continue to support marine energy,” he said. “If we can prove it works reliability and cost-effectively we can rebuild market confidence.”
Ewing said could he not announce the budget for Highland & Islands Enterprise-backed R&D body Wave Energy Scotland beyond the current financial year ahead of tomorrow’s Comprehensive Spending Review, but said it “would continue”.
“I have made clear Scottish support for ocean energy,” he told reNEWS.
Image: Scottish Government
‘Missed opportunity’ for marine
Scotland claims Amber Rudd's reset speech failed to deliver clarity
By EBS