Marine energy moving ahead in Scotland

Three new wave energy projects hoped to generate 50MW of power have been granted leases off the coast of Scotland.

A 30 MW project earmarked to enter the £10 million Saltire Prize, Scotland's energy challenge, and two 10MW demonstration projects have secured leases from the Crown Estate.

Aquamarine Power, which is behind the Oyster Wave energy converter, is developing both the larger project and one of the demonstration projects north of Lewis.

The second 10 MW project to be located west of Shetland is under development by Vattenfall and Pelamis Wave Power.

The new projects take the number of wave and tidal projects leased for development by the Crown Estate around Scotland to 17.

"These projects further confirm that Scotland is the world leading destination for marine energy development and deployment,” said John Swinney, the Scottish secretary for sustainable growth.

“The vast majority of wave and tidal projects in the UK - and Europe - are in Scotland and new projects in Lewis and Shetland show the continued growth, talent and confidence in Scotland's marine renewables industry.”