Visit by John Swinney, Finance Minister

Efforts to develop cutting edge renewable energy technology are to be rewarded with a major new award for innovation in Scottish industry. The Scottish Executive’s first Saltire Prize will be awarded to a business in the green energy sector.

Significantly, the decision to focus on renewables was revealed by John Swinney, the cabinet secretary for finance and sustainable growth, during a visit to EMEC, the Orkney-based European Marine Energy Centre.

EMEC has a key role to play in the development of revolutionary new technologies that can harness the power contained in waves and tidal streams – and generate marine renewable energy. During his visit, Mr Swinney said this clean, sustainable energy would be vital to Scotland’s future.

“Scotland has a huge renewable energy potential – enough to meet its demand for power almost 10 times over,” he said. “Our coastal geography and tidal channels mean we can be a world leader in new wave and tidal energy technologies. The pioneering work of EMEC is a perfect example of how we can successfully achieve this.”

The Scottish government was determined to support new renewables technologies, both to help tackle climate change and to increase sustainable economic growth, he said.

“This is why the first Saltire Prize will focus on renewable energy,” Mr Swinney added. “Innovative work which will help us to deliver this will be rewarded, both through the first year of the Saltire Prize and with the support of the Scottish government wherever possible.”

EMEC managing director Neil Kermode said the decision to focus a new and prestigious award on the renewables sector was highly encouraging. “Scotland is at the forefront of the development of marine renewables and it’s great to see this continued commitment from the Executive. I was greatly encouraged by the real sense of passion for the marine renewables sector I detected during Mr Swinney’s visit.”