Scotland's largest marine energy conference has been awarded the Scottish Cities Global Excellence status. The award is part of the Commonwealth Games legacy programme.

The Scottish Renewables' Marine Conference, Exhibition and Dinner, will be held in Inverness on September 23 and 24, will showcase the world-leading wave and tidal energy technologies and expertise being developed in Scotland's seas.

The event, in association with Highlands & Islands Enterprise, is one of seven Global Excellence conferences being sponsored by the Scottish Cities Alliance which will provide a legacy from events in 2014, including the recent Commonwealth Games.

Lindsay Leask, Senior Policy Manager at Scottish Renewables, commented: "To celebrate what has already been an amazing year for Scotland's marine energy sector with Scottish Cities Global Excellence status makes this event all the more special.

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"The Crown Estate lease announcements – which open up four new sites in Scotland – indicate the appetite for new developments remains strong, while Scottish company Nautricity's agreement to develop a 500kW project in Nova Scotia is yet another example of the huge export opportunities open Scotland if we continue to build on our world-leading position in this sector."

Energy Minister Fergus Ewing added: "Scotland is at the forefront of developing offshore and low carbon technologies, with some of the world's greatest wind, wave and tidal resources heavily concentrated in the waters around our country.

"I am delighted that Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, is once again hosting Scotland's biggest marine energy event. This is the third in a series of Scotland's Cities Global Excellence Conference Programme events which have been running throughout the year.

"The coastlines around Orkney, Caithness, Shetland, the Outer Hebrides and Argyll provide fertile testing ground for marine energy developers. This conference will allow us to promote Inverness and the whole Highlands and Islands region as the place for marine energy development and deployment."

The two-day conference will be held at the Eden Court arts venue in the Highland capital, where industry experts will discuss how to maintain – and capitalise – on Scotland's position as a marine energy world leader.

(JP/IT)