Construction News

29/09/2016

Four Wave Energy Projects Secure £2m Funding Boost

Four wave energy projects have been awarded £2 million in funding to support further design, modelling and testing of technologies.

Wave Energy Scotland (WES), a subsidiary of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), selected the projects as the most promising of eight applications from contractors in stage one of its Power Take Off (PTO) programme.

The successful schemes are; Wave Energy Transmission Module (£496,200), Power Electronic Controlled Magnet Gear (£498,420), GATOR Stage 2 - a compliant seal free hydraulic PTO (£495,000) and Inflatable Dielectric Elastomer Generator – PTO (£498,000).

The PTO programme focuses on solutions to convert the movement of Wave Energy Converters (WECs) to electricity. Each winning project will now progress to stage two of the programme, which they are expected to complete in the next year.

-- Advertisement --

Business Minister Paul Wheelhouse said: "The Scottish Government's sustained funding has allowed Wave Energy Scotland to support companies to develop genuinely novel components for wave energy devices. Wave energy has great potential to contribute to Scotland's energy supply and that of the UK and EU. If we are able to harness this important energy resource, there are great opportunities to generate exports to the rest of the world.

"Wave Energy Scotland facilitates collaborative working between innovative industries here in Scotland and elsewhere to improve the performance and efficiency of wave energy systems.

"I congratulate the technology developers that have reached this second stage and look forward to seeing the fruits of their collaboration."

Tim Hurst, WES managing director, added: "Our competitive technology development process aims to bring forward development that will promote greater confidence in the technical performance of wave energy systems. This, of course, calls for very rigorous assessment and some difficult decisions about investment. Equally it shows the level of innovation and appetite among companies to keep Scotland at the forefront of wave energy development."

(LM/MH)

News Archive

Latest Construction News

17/07/2026

£3.3m Paint Facility Under Construction At Glas...

Construction has begun on a new £3.3 million paint facility at BAE Systems’ Govan shipyard in Glasgow as part of a wider programme to modernise the city's naval shipbuilding infrastructure. The new facility will allow ship blocks to be painted in a dedicated space, freeing up existing areas at the

17/07/2026

Procast Group Wins Double At Energy Efficiency ...

Retrofit and energy-efficiency specialist Procast Group has secured two awards at the Energy Efficiency Awards, with apprentice electrician Cameron Sleith also recognised as Apprentice of the Year. The company was named Regional Insulation & Fabric Installer and Contractor of the Year at the awards

17/07/2026

Fresh Appointed To Manage Edinburgh Student Acc...

Residential management specialist Fresh has been appointed by Ropemaker to manage two purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) developments in Edinburgh. Fresh took over management of Meadow Court and Norton's Student Living on 1 July 2026, expanding its existing partnership with Ropemaker, for w

17/07/2026

Carluke's A721 Carnwath Road To Close For Four ...

Essential resurfacing on the A721 Carnwath Road in Carluke will require a section of the route to be closed for up to four days this month. The works are scheduled to begin on Tuesday 21 July and will cover the stretch between Stanistone Road and Crawfordwalls Bridge. Traffic will be diverted via

17/07/2026

Aberdeenshire Seeks Views On Council Tax Deferr...

Aberdeenshire Council is inviting feedback on proposed changes to its Council Tax approach for long‑term empty properties and second homes, with new mitigations being considered alongside a premium due to take effect on 1 September. From 1 September this year, owners of homes left empty for m

17/07/2026

Grampian HA Appoints New Chief Executive

Grampian Housing Association has appointed David Fisher as its new group chief executive, succeeding Craig Stirrat who is due to retire later this year. Fisher will take up the role in August 2026 following a competitive recruitment process. The housing association said the Board’s recruitment pane

17/07/2026

Plans Put Forward To Regenerate Collina Street ...

Maryhill Housing Association (MHA) has lodged a planning bid for a 108-home neighbourhood on the long-vacant Collina Street plot in north Maryhill, with most properties proposed as affordable. The association has submitted its application to Glasgow City Council, seeking permission to redevelop the

17/07/2026

Kier Wins £23m Contract

Kier has been appointed by the City of Edinburgh Council to deliver a £23m retrofit of residential accommodation in the Craigmillar and Peffermill districts of Edinburgh. Procured via the Scottish Procurement Alliance (SPA) framework, the scheme underpins the council’s environmental objectives. Kie

17/07/2026

Overnight Resurfacing Programme On A83 Between ...

BEAR Scotland, working on behalf of Transport Scotland, will carry out a series of resurfacing schemes at multiple locations on the A83 between Tarbert and Inveraray from Wednesday 29 July. Crews will operate between 7pm and 6am on working nights, with completion anticipated by Thursday 20 August.

17/07/2026

Kinghorn Burn Pollution Warning Remains As Inve...

Investigations into pollution affecting the Kinghorn Burn in Fife are continuing, with public health advice to avoid contact with the water remaining in place. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and Scottish Water are working alongside partners including Fife Council, NHS Fife and Fi