What Does Marine Energy Park status mean?

Marine Energy Park status is a platform from which to promote the region, the leading role it has world-wide in the development of the marine energy sector, and for further positioning of Scotland's continuing commitment to the leading of the commercialisation of the industry.

Marine Energy Park status has a regional focus and securing economic benefit for the local area is a key priority, and with Marine Energy Park status the Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters can collaborate with the South West Marine Energy Park in areas critical to the success of the industry.

The Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters are at the forefront of marine energy research, development and deployment and is the home to some of the world's best natural wave and tidal resource. We need to make the most of this once-in-a-generation opportunity and work with project developers to ensure the appropriate skills and infrastructure is in place.

The prestigious new status of The Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters becoming the first Marine Energy Park in Scotland and second for the UK, promotes the Highlands and Islands of Scotland as a marine energy hub and will help accelerate the industry's ambitions for commercialisation of the technologies as well as attract investment in the sector.

The Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters is the site of the world's first commercial scale leasing round for marine energy. Agreements for lease have been awarded to developers for 11 sites in the area. Further lease sites to support technology demonstration and the Saltire Prize competition have also been awarded and of these 33 sites, 26 are in the Highlands and Islands.

The Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters Leadership Forum, in partnership with developers and the wider industry seek to make the most of the Marine Energy Park status and promote the area not only in the UK but world wide. Showcasing what is already happening in the area in research and deployment of marine energy devices that are undergoing testing at the world's first and only grid-connected, UKAS-accredited testing facility for wave and tidal energy technologies at the European Marine Energy Centre(EMEC) in Orkney. There are more full-scale grid connected devices being tested at EMEC than in the rest of the world combined.

There is a long history in oil and gas and hydro engineering, and IRM in the Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters Marine Energy Park area and this supply chain expertise is already starting to prove valuable for the marine industry. The recent investment in infrastructure within the designation including Scrabster Harbour, Lyness Harbour and Hatston Technology Developer Units shows the world The Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters Marine Energy Park is the place to be when it comes to deployment of wave and tidal devices.