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Will Scotland heed the call of the tide?

28 February 2008

Thoughts from Commissioner Hugh Raven

Last week the UK Government announced plans to review options for a tidal barrage across the Severn Estuary. In Scotland this has led some commentators to bemoan a lack of focus on other tidal technology, such as tidal stream as another renewable alternative.

The announcement by UK Government stems at least in part, from an ongoing review of tidal power in the UK conducted by the Sustainable Development Commission, the Government’s independent advisor on sustainable development.

Over the last 18 months the Commission has undertaken an in-depth review of the different tidal technologies. While attention in the England has been on options for tidal barrage schemes we have also looked at tidal stream and hybrid type systems known as tidal lagoons. Our final report is now with Government Ministers.

A tidal stream is a body of fast flowing water created by the pull of the tide through a narrow channel. The Pentland Firth is the best known of these but there are many other significant sites around the Scottish coast as well as elsewhere in the UK. Tidal stream devices could provide up to 5% of UK electricity needs, over half of which could come from the Pentland Firth.

For Scotland attention must focus on tidal stream technologies. Our review has shown that so far the development of tidal stream technologies has been a success story. However, too much of that success in tidal stream has been down to the perseverance and ingenuity of the companies developing and testing these devices. While Government can claim some credit, if Scotland and the UK are really serious about making tidal stream technologies a success they need to be prepared to 'stay the course'.

The industry is still in the early stages of development and it will be many years before it can stand on its own. However, the time this will take depends on the level of investment available from Government. Our review has highlighted that the UK comes at the bottom of the league table in research and development on energy[1]. If we want to see these technologies developed here and exported abroad in future, rather than the other way around, then this has to change.

We need to recognise our success. Alongside the emerging industry, recognition should go to the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC), a test facility based in the Orkneys. Credit for EMEC should go to regional agencies such as Highlands & Islands Enterprise (HIE), as well as the UK and Scottish Governments and other public bodies. However, EMEC could do much more, growing as a centre of research excellence, if funded to support the industry in developing standards, certification and monitoring.

For the industry to develop further, Government and Ofgem need to work together properly, to deliver a transmission system and regulatory framework that will allow connection of a future generation of tidal energy.

Finally, the different interests working in Scotland need to co-operate. While the Pentland Firth has the best tidal resource, the conditions are too challenging for development of the first generation of devices - that is why initial schemes have been piloted in places like Yell Sound and Strangford Lough.

The Highlands and Islands will need to work together, providing a cluster of support for tidal stream technology through the next critical stage of development. We need to see Government working with HIE and regional bodies to support development that should ultimately see tidal stream providing 5% of low carbon electricity the UK will need.

Read more about the Commission's work on tidal energy

Read more about the Commission's report Lost in transmission which reviews the role of Ofgem

Reference [1] IEA (2006). Energy Policies of IEA Countries (Compendium). and IEA R&D Statistics database

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