Blog: £6m marine energy support fund launched
Scottish Energy Minister Fergus Ewing has announced that the marine energy sector is to benefit from £6 million in funding to further develop wave and tidal energy prototypes in the seas around Scotland.
Scottish Enterprise has launched the third round of the remaining competitive funding from the initial WATERS fund in collaboration with Highlands & Islands Enterprise. This latest round follows the success of WATERS 1 and 2 where six marine energy developers benefitted from £14.8 million funding to test and develop wave and tidal prototypes in Scotland.
To reduce the cost of developing wave and tidal technologies, the WATERS 3 call will promote research and development activities in Scotland aimed at bringing leading marine energy devices to commercial application and enable Scottish developers and supply chain companies to capture an increased share of the growing UK, European and global marine energy market.
Welcoming the launch whilst on a visit to Westway Park in Renfrew, Mr Ewing said: “This latest funding round follows the success of our earlier WATERS support to help developers bring their devices to full-scale testing. The WATERS complements our other funding initiatives and incentives we have in place such as the £18 million Marine Renewables Commercialisation Fund, the Renewable Energy Investment Fund and the Saltire Prize.
“Our ambition for Scotland’s emerging wave and tidal sector remains great. We know that the successful harnessing of ocean power takes hard work and persistence and the Scottish Government is determined to support those within the industry.”
Press release: Scottish Government – £6 million for Scotland’s wave and tidal industry
For information on applying for WATERS 3 visit the Scottish Enterprise website: Wave and tidal energy support fund (WATERS3)
For information on EMEC’s testing facilities click here: EMEC facilities
If you would like to enquire about testing at EMEC please get in touch: info@emec.org.uk
