Crown Estate explores tailor-made renewables

Crown Estate Scotland has released a new report focussing on offshore renewable energy research in coastal and island communities across the country — including Orkney.

The organisation believes that its findings may provide a potential way forward for a more localised approach to offshore renewable energy deployment in these areas. The study, carried out by specialists Everoze, looked at six scenarios linked to a number of renewable technologies such as floating wind, wave, and tidal energy — including the county’s EMEC and Surf and Turf projects.

It analysed how they could support the development of key industries, including whisky and salmon farming, in coastal locations. The findings and recommendations highlight the potential of benefit renewable energy could have when tailor-made for its location. This includes a summary of how the public, private and community sectors can work together to bring down barriers to the development of local level offshore renewables.

Colin Palmer, head of marine at Crown Estate Scotland, said: “This study emphasises that even in Scotland’s most remote locations there could be opportunities to develop energy solutions. Providing the right technology can be matched to the right setting, there is huge potential for communities across Scotland to benefit from a wide range of technologies suited to their needs.”

Director of energy and low-carbon at Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) believes that her organisation shares a common interest with Crown Estate Scotland in realising the benefits from offshore renewables in our coastal communities. She said: “Understanding the potential for emerging technologies, such as wave, tidal and floating wind, to contribute towards a more local, low-carbon decentralised energy system is a helpful step forward in facilitating both community engagement and in driving forward the commercial development of these technologies.”

Crown Estate Scotland manages seabed leasing as well as just under half of the coastline, working with coastal and island communities to support sustainable development of the blue economy.