Standard content for Members only
To continue reading this article, please login to your Utility Week account, Start 14 day trial or Become a member.
If your organisation already has a corporate membership and you haven’t activated it simply follow the register link below. Check here.
The Renewable Energy Association has commended Scottish Power for sticking with marine power development following speculation SSE could follow Eon and RWE in scaling back investment.
The trade body’s head of marine Steph Merry said SSE’s possible withdrawal was “unsettling” and paid tribute to those continuing to back the sector.
Government could stem the flight of investment away from wave and tidal projects without splashing out on extra financial support, she said.
The REA is calling on government to assure support for a minimum level of marine capacity each year under the Electricity Market Reform programme.
It is also arguing for action to bring down grid connection charges, which threaten to be a “show-stopper” for many projects, particularly in the remote Scottish Islands.
Joint procurement and installation services and effective use of the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult could also help bring costs down, the REA said.
Merry said: “We commend the actions of Scottish Power, existing investors and technology and project developers and the Scottish Government in promoting the sector as the industry seeks to move from being a developing technology to commercial viability, delivering significant clean energy for the UK.”
Please login or Register to leave a comment.