Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters Leadership Forum

Background

During 2010 The Crown Estate announced that it had awarded development rights to a number of companies for eleven wave and tidal stream energy projects in the Pentland Firth and Orkney waters, with a total potential capacity for 1.6GW. This represent the World’s first commercial scale development of wave and tidal energy.

Delivery of the projects will depend on a range of factors, with many challenging technical, environmental, planning and finance issues to be overcome. Responsibility for addressing such challenges rests with the developers themselves and a wide range of stakeholders – hence the establishment of the Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters Leadership Forum (PFOW LF).

Structure

The PFOW LF is co-chaired by Scottish Government and Highlands and Islands Enterprise and its membership also comprises The Crown Estate, Scottish Renewables, Marine Scotland, Orkney Islands Council, Highland Council, EMEC, Scottish Enterprise, National Grid and Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission (SHE-T).

Shared purpose

“Working together to lead the effective and timely delivery of up to 1.6GW of wave and tidal energy in the Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters by 2020 and in doing so, support the creation of a new, commercial scale marine energy industry, securing maximum economic and social benefit for Caithness, Orkney, the wider Highlands and Islands and Scotland”.

Project Plan

An initial detailed plan for the delivery of the projects has been developed, highlighting risks and mitigation measures to facilitate delivery of up to 1.6GW. The PFOW LF will monitor the plan identifying key issues/opportunities with a view to directing resources and addressing barriers to the development. The PFOW LF will also become the forum for overseeing the development of the newly established Marine Energy Park.

Governance

The PFOW LF meets quarterly, with agreed agenda, papers and minutes. HIE currently provides the secretariat function.

The notes of the meetings are available to download using the link on the right-hand side of this page.

Marine Energy Parks Collaboration

The UK’s two Marine Energy Parks, the PFOW MEP and the South West’s MEP (Regen SW), signed a Collaboration Agreement in February 2013. Following this, a Networking Lunch was hosted at All Energy in May 2013, with in excess of 60 participants from both MEP areas attending. Progress across the MEPs was presented at this lunch, including investment in infrastructure, further development of the needs case for support towards island transmission charging, further financial support for technology development (MRCF, REIF, MEAD, NER300), and promotion of the MEPs at various events. Further, in June 2013 a joint letter was sent to the UK Energy Minister making the case for sustained support for marine renewables. This letter is available for download on the right side of this page. Future planned activity includes a visit by Cornwall officials to the PFOW strategic area and a learning journey to Bristol in October 2013 to coincide with Regen South West’s Tidal Forum.