Swedish renewable energy company Seabased has joined in a venture with the United Arab Emirates’ company Infocom Connect to develop a wave energy projects in the Canary Islands.
Maritime Journal 17th Aug 2018 read more »
THERE’S a phenomenon in physics known as interference, when two waves travelling in opposite directions meet; when constructive, it makes a bigger wave, when destructive, the water goes flat. I was pondering this as I watched wave power in action at European Marine Energy Centre’s wave test site at Billia Croo on the Orkney Isles, wondering how political interference in this crucial sector will pan out. At the moment Scotland is leading the world in wave and tidal energy technology by a country mile. We have the marine engineering knowledge, a supportive government in Edinburgh, and distinct natural advantages over other coastal nations. We are perfectly placed to convert this work into a major commercial success. Yet the industry is at a critical juncture, and the UK has a track record of squandering leads. Lots of countries are peeking over our shoulder and fancy getting in on the action. The Scottish Government have grasped this danger. They have put mechanisms in place to encourage investors and launched Wave Energy Scotland to help develop technologies for the commercial market. But energy policy is reserved and the UK Government’s enthusiasm for marine renewables has fluctuated from lukewarm at best to as chilly as the waters around us. The removal of ring-fenced subsidies in energy policy could choke growth just at the point when the first array of commercial projects need support to develop, test and sell on the market. As a result, sadly, we already see companies being forced to go elsewhere. Sustainable Marine Energy Ltd has transferred most of their operations to Canada, and others could follow. More supportive energy policy in competitors like Ireland, Portugal or France are a major market pull.
The National 18th Aug 2018 read more »
