Scottish wave and tidal energy projects will be in the spotlight at a conference and exhibition in Inverness next week.
More than 300 delegates are heading to the Highland capital for the event, which will see 45 exhibitors showcasing their technology and services at Eden Court.
Industry body Scottish Renewables (SR) and its Marine Conference, exhibition and dinner are declaring Scotland as the home of wave and tidal energy.
Lindsay Leask, SR’s senior policy manager for offshore renewables, said: “When it comes to renewables potential, Scotland is up there with the world’s best.
“As home to the first consented tidal array, the world’s largest consented wave array and the European Marine Energy Centre, where more grid-connected marine energy converters have been deployed than any other single site around the globe, Scotland has worked hard to earn her place at the front of the ocean energy race.
“In the past year, the industry has seen some important developments; an unprecedented level of investment from original equipment manufacturers such as ABB, Alstom and Siemens; greater recognition in European energy policy; and the UK’s first dedicated wave energy support scheme. Technology development has also continued to drive forward.
“The Scottish Renewables Marine Conference 2013 will explore how we can keep it that way.”
She added: “The event will provide a focus for the industry to come together and discuss major issues facing the sector.
“This will be a unique opportunity for leading industry figures, public sector representatives, investors and academics to put their heads together to find the best way forward.”
Ms Leask said one of the hottest topics up for discussion would be how marine energy devices will connect to the grid.
She added: “The majority of wave and tidal projects are still in the test and demonstration phase.
“In order to make the next critical step and get these commercial arrays up and running, the industry needs the confidence to know that they will have sufficient grid connections.”
