Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Marine Energy Sector Support

Wednesday 6 March 2024 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial discussions with Cabinet colleagues have focused on the adequacy of support for Scotland's marine energy sector.
  • The Government are committed to supporting Scotland's marine energy sector, with around 80% of tidal stream contracts awarded to Scotland.
  • The Government are analyzing the technology pipeline for the next round of renewables auction to ensure it is competitive and considering parameters for all technologies.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Richard Graham Con
Scotland Energy
Context

Discussions are ongoing about the adequacy of support for the marine energy sector in Scotland, which is a critical area for technological development and economic growth.

Question

What recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the adequacy of support for the marine energy sector in Scotland?

Answer from John Lamont

The Government are firmly committed to supporting Scotland's marine energy sector to grow. Around 80% of tidal stream contracts awarded through contracts for difference in the last two rounds will be deployed in Scotland. In addition, Horizon Europe selected two Scottish-based UK tidal stream developers to deliver projects in Orkney. They will lead construction on two £17 million projects, funded by the UK Government's financial guarantee.

Answered
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Q2 Richard Graham Con
Scotland Energy
Context

The previous rounds of contracts for difference have shown significant support for tidal stream technologies, but there is a need to consider wave technologies as well.

Question

The Minister knows that successive Energy Ministers have hugely helped the development of the marine energy sector in Scotland, as elsewhere in the United Kingdom. Does my hon. Friend agree that there is an opportunity in the next round of the renewables auction to allow for wave technologies alongside tidal stream technologies? Will he encourage the Scottish Government to speed up approvals of sites to get great green energy projects started as soon as possible in Scotland, as elsewhere?

Answer from John Lamont

I am grateful for that important question. The Government are undertaking analysis of the technology pipeline available for contracts for difference auction round 6 against our legal obligation to ensure that the auction round is competitive. We are considering the appropriate parameters for all technologies, including tidal stream and wave energy. The final parameters will be published in the budget notice this month, ahead of the auction round opening.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Scottish Government should expedite site approvals

How: Considering The Appropriate Parameters For All Technologies

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Q3 Dave Doogan SNP Angus and Perthshire Glens
Climate Scotland Brexit
Context

The Seastar tidal farm, supported by EU funding through the European Marine Energy Centre, is set to be the largest tidal energy farm in the world.

Question

The Seastar tidal farm off the coast of Orkney is set to be the largest tidal energy farm anywhere in the world, and it was supported by EU funding through the European Marine Energy Centre. This comes after Edinburgh University's report found that the UK Government could save hundreds of millions of pounds by bringing forward the development of tidal by years, if it worked more closely with its EU partners. It is clear that the EU's role in this in Europe and around Scotland is very important, so if Scotland is better together with anyone, is it not better together with the EU and its investment in tidal?

Answer from John Lamont

What a load of nonsense. Scotland is much better served by being part of the United Kingdom, and we will continue to support all renewable energy sectors, including tidal.

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