An American tidal power firm has revealed its plans to establish itself in Scotland.
ResHydro will invest in the country in what Scotland’s first minister Alex Salmond says is a demonstration that it is “leading the way” in the development of marine renewables technology.
Mr Salmon has been visiting the United States for Scotland week celebrations.
The company will be helped out with a £100,000 award from Scottish Enterprise and will be working in partnership with the University of Strathclyde. It will establish a base in Scotland so I can develop its hydrokinetic energy generation device. Further research and development is needed to bring it closer to becoming commercially viable.
"Scotland has an incredible wealth of energy resources and is leading the way in the development of marine renewables technology,” said Mr Salmond. “ResHydro's decision to invest in Scotland and work in partnership with one of our leading universities to further their research and development plans is testament to that.
"Scotland has hit the natural lottery twice, first with oil and gas and then with our green energy resources. We have astounding green energy potential and this government has a responsibility to make sure Scotland capitalises on the vast economic opportunities the industry presents."
ResHydro’s chief executive Samuel Lewinter added that the company is pleased to have the opportunity to open a subsidiary in Scotland, where it will have access to “significant technical expertise”. He also spoke of the favourable market conditions that should give the firm a strong boost towards commercialising the technology.
The plans have also been welcomed by environmental groups, with Lang Banks, WWF Scotland director, saying it is a “vote of confidence” in the country’s clean energy future, as well as a “valuable opportunity” to help reduce the cost of marine renewables.
“There is a massive amount of power in our seas and Scotland is well placed to lead in developing the technologies to turn this potential into clean, green electricity,” he commented.
"Alongside energy saving measures, marine renewables will have a critical role to play in helping Scotland reduce climate emissions as we phase out polluting fossil fuels and nuclear power. With careful planning we can harness Scotland's huge wave and tidal energy to help cut our climate emissions, while safeguarding the nation's tremendous marine environment."
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