Prize ‘will push frontiers in marine renewable energy’
Salmond set to unveil £10m challenge
Published:
Long-awaited details of the largest single prize for marine energy innovation will be announced this evening.
First Minister Alex Salmond will unveil just what developers need to do to clinch the £10million Saltire Prize when he speaks to leading scientists, environmentalists and potential entrants at a reception in Edinburgh Castle.
Earlier this year the Scottish Government said it was to offer £10million in a bid to galvanise world scientists to push the frontiers of innovation in the development of wave and tidal energy.
Many in the industry believe that more is needed. Last week the Institution of Mechanical Engineers launched a report calling for a £40million fund to help bridge the gap between the development of prototypes and commercialisation.
The Saltire Prize committee meets in Edinburgh this morning to finalise the details of the “grand challenge”.
Mr Salmond said: “The £10million Saltire Prize will push the frontiers of innovation in clean, green, marine renewable energy and put Scotland at the very heart of the battle against climate change.
“Scotland has already won the energy lottery in terms of oil and gas. With our natural resources, we have a unique opportunity to seize a global leadership in renewable energy, including marine energy.”
On the eve of the announcement Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray backed the institution’s call for a £40million support fund. He said: “Alex Salmond must listen to the institution who made clear in their report that a single prize for a single project will not be enough.”
Mr Gray said the Wave and Tidal Energy Scheme has provided £13.5million to nine marine power developments since it was launched in October 2006, but ministers have given no indication of when, or if, they will provide support for the next stage of technology development by the companies involved.
“If a range of new marine renewable technologies is to come to market in Scotland, we will need something like a second scheme to support the next development stage,” he said. “I do not expect the first minister to accept all of the funding proposals by the institution but hope he and his ministers will consider them very seriously.”
Lib Dem leader Tavish Scott said today’s announcement will be the government’s 12th launch of the prize. “How many launches are we going to have before someone wins this prize?” he said.
