OpenHydro has completed a £1.8m project to design, build and test a power conversion unit for its open-centre turbine at the European Marine Energy Centre in Orkney.
The project was funded under the Waters initiative – a collaboration between the Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, with support from European Regional Development Funds.
Waters was set up in 2010 to assist in the development and demonstration of wave and tidal energy technology in Scottish seas.
It also provided £600,000 for Edinburgh-based wave energy company Albatern to build and demonstrate its WaveNet wave energy array off the west coast of Scotland. The project has also come to a successful conclusion.
Energy Minister Fergus Ewing (pictured) said: “I am very proud of the role Scotland has played in the development of marine energy technologies and the Scottish Government will continue to show that ambition and leadership.
“These recent successes show that there is still progress being made despite it being a challenging time for the industry.”
Policy Manager for Scottish Renewables Hannah Smith said: “The achievements from these industry-leading programmes, where our government agencies have worked alongside industry, are cementing Scotland as the centre of marine energy development.
“As Edinburgh hosts the International Conference on Ocean Energy, it is clear that our sector is making strides that will contribute to the low-carbon economy both in Scotland and further afield.”
Scottish Renewables policy manager Hannah Smith said: “The achievements from these industry-leading programmes, where our government agencies have worked alongside industry, are cementing Scotland as the centre of marine energy development.”As Edinburgh hosts the International Conference on Ocean Energy, it is clear that our sector is making strides that will contribute to the low-carbon economy both in Scotland and further afield”
Image: Orkney (sxc)
Scots forge marine future
Key projects completed in the development of wave and tidal energy


