Globally, the marine renewables sector is at a comparatively early stage of development compared to other forms of renewable energy, such as onshore wind.

The Scottish Government has estimated that by 2020 10 per cent of Scotland's electricity production could come from marine resources. The bulk of this resource is based around the northern and western coasts of the Highlands and Islands. To obtain a foothold in this emerging market some of the world’s most cutting-edge research and development is being conducted here in the Highlands and Islands.

Indeed, over the past decade the emerging marine energy sector has earned an international reputation. In the forefront is the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC), Orkney, the world’s first grid-connected, full-scale marine energy testing centre.

EMEC's wave test site was officially opened in August 2004 with four testing berths 2km offshore in 50-metre deep waters. The centre offers purpose-built facilities to test and validate full-scale protoype devices under real-life operational conditions and with output flowing to the national grid. Construction of the tidal testing facility is now complete, and Alex Salmond, Scotland's First Minister, performed the official opening in September 2007.

The centre has attracted interest from clients from around the world, keen to advance their designs and better understand how marine power works. The centre is therefore playing a vital role in ensuring Scotland is one of the countries leading this emerging sector. Its unique status guarantees that the Highlands and Islands is viewed internationally as a major player in the field of marine energy.

Get more marine power facts and statistics from the links below or from the 'Key Links' panel on the right.

Tidal energy

Wave energy