The Scottish Government has spent almost £400,000 of taxpayers’ money on a prize for marine energy which has still not been awarded more than a decade after it was announced, it has been revealed. The true cost to the public of the Saltire Prize, which was announced by the former First Minister Alex Salmond in April 2008, is likely to be significantly higher as four years are unaccounted for. Ministers have spent a total of £393,546.09 running the award since the 2012 financial year, according to documents published following a Freedom of Information request. When it was launched, the £10m Saltire Prize for innovation in marine energy technology was trumpeted as the largest of its kind. Its aim was to help the commercial development of wave and tidal energy technology, but the deadline for the aw ard passed last summer with no firm named as the winner. While a handful of companies have been in the running for the prize over the years, none were able to meet the criteria and several have even gone into administration. Despite the problems, the Scottish Government has pressed on with the Saltire Prize and now says it it is “considering options” for “reshaping the award” so it can finally be won.
Scotsman 8th May 2018 read more »
The i Newspaper 8th May 2018 read more »
Herald 9th May 2018 read more »
