New figures from Scottish Renewables have shown that island communities in Scotland's first Marine Energy Park are continuing to face massive costs to connect their marine energy projects to the grid.

Analysis, published at the Marine Energy Conference in Inverness, reveals charges in the Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters have continued to climb, despite an independent review by Ofgem to reform the charging regime known as TNUoS (Transmission Network Use of System).

Although the review has improved matters for generators on the mainland, charges on the islands are set to rocket, adding significant costs and threatening the economic viability of wave and tidal projects that are in their early stages of development.

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Speaking ahead of the Marine Energy Conference, Niall Stuart, Chief Executive of Scottish Renewables, said: "Ofgem's review was expected to bring down charges for renewable generation given its commitment to 'facilitate the move to a low carbon energy sector'. However, we are seeing charges on the islands continue to increase, dwarfing those on the mainland.

"The level of charges for Orkney Waters is adding significant costs to wave and tidal projects and can only hold back investment in our world-leading marine energy sector.

"We have to remember that our islands are where some of our best natural resources are and if we are to meet important climate change and renewable energy targets we must find a way to ensure wind, wave and tidal projects can generate electricity for homes and businesses across Scotland."

(CD)