Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism Fergus Ewing today welcomed a surge in interest in the development of marine renewable technologies which will see state-of-the-art test facilities in Orkney fully utilised.

On a visit to the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC), Mr Ewing said: "Scotland's wave and tidal energy resource is almost unparalleled, representing around a quarter of Europe's tidal stream and 10 per cent of its wave energy potential. Marine energy can make an enormous contribution to energy security in future years - and contribute to economic growth across the EU. Scotland is at the forefront of harnessing this power.

"Despite the challenges in developing technologies fit to withstand ferocious and inhospitable environmental conditions, developers have been quick to realise the enormous potential afforded by Scotland's wave and tidal resources.

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"The sector now stands at the cusp of a huge opportunity. Recent developments at the world-leading European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney highlight the momentum behind marine renewables.

"The last two available berths at EMEC's tidal test site have now been leased, and 10 full-scale wave and tidal prototype devices will be tested across both EMEC's sites by the end of 2011. Devices currently at the Centre include those deployed by Open Hydro, ScotRenewables, Tidal Generation Ltd/Rolls Royce, EON/Pelamis and Atlantis Resources Corporation," he added.

"These will be joined during the course of this year by a second Pelamis brought by ScottishPower Renewables and additional devices including those developed by Hammerfest Strom, Aquamarine Power, Wello Oy and Voith."

The European Marine Energy Centre (established in 2003) is the only centre of its kind which offers developers of machines which generate electricity from waves and tidal streams the opportunity to test prototype machines in the world class conditions around Orkney, Scotland. More marine energy converters have been tested at EMEC than any other single site in the World.

The Centre, which is grid-connected and United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) accredited, was established with around £30 million of funding from the Scottish Government, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, the Carbon Trust, the UK Government, Scottish Enterprise, the European Union and Orkney Islands Council.

(GK/KMcA)