A renewable energy industry body has urged the government to offer more support to connect wave energy projects to the grid following concerns a leading player was ready to pull out the sector.
Reports last week claimed SSE was to pull out of the marine renewables industry, which includes major projects in Orkney and the Pentland Firth.
The concern has sparked trade body the Renewable Energy Association to call for more support to encourage companies to remain in the sector.
“While SSE’s possible withdrawal from the sector is unsettling, the REA acknowledges and congratulates those organisations whose continued involvement will enable the industry to develop,” said REA head of Marine, Steph Merry.
The group said support for smaller players in the marine renewable industry was needed, as was giving equal access to the grid.
“Grid connection threatens to be a show-stopper for many wave and tidal generators, especially in the remote Scottish Islands,” the REA warned.
“Failing to resolve this issue could make or break developments and must be urgently addressed.”
SSE confirmed it was reviewing its involvement in the renewable projects.
“We are reviewing our portfolio but we have not at this stage reached any conclusion,” said a spokesman at the weekend.
The company is involved in a number of projects around Orkney and the Pentland Firth, the latter worth around 800MW of wave energy alone.
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