Calls for wave energy body to be based in Orkney

MSP Liam McArthur led a debate on the future of wave energy in Scotland last night, calling for the new wave energy technology development body – Wave Energy Scotland – to be based here in Orkney.

It was the first debate about the sector since the announcement last November that Pelamis Wave Power had entered administration.

Having apparent “numerous requests” for such a debate rejected by the Scottish Government, Mr McArthur brought forward a motion under Liberal Democrat members’ business.

Opening the discussion, Mr McArthur stressed the importance of the debate, and the sector in Scotland.

Commenting afterwards, Mr McArthur said: “This debate was important because it provided Parliament with an opportunity to restate in unambiguous terms our support for the wave energy sector. In difficult and uncertain times, it is right that MSP’s acknowledge the significant achievements the sector has already secured, and reiterate our collective confidence in the contribution wave energy still has to make to our renewables future.

“Given the circumstances, the creation of Wave Energy Scotland is welcome, but we desperately need to know the objectives it will be set and the budget for achieving these. In both cases we need to see vision and ambition from WES and Scottish Ministers.”

He went on to say: “We also need to see a reversal of the short-sighted decision to locate WES in Inverness. Orkney has been and must remain in the vanguard of our efforts to deliver a wave energy industry. It is therefore the logical place for WES to be based and anything else sends entirely the wrong signal about how serious we are.

“Now more than ever, the wave energy sector needs parliament and government to be unambiguous in its support. Scotland has the natural resources, the research and industrial expertise and the global lead to make a success of wave energy. It will not happen, however, unless we are brave and unless we will the means as well as the ends.”