Scotland's Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters Marine Energy Park has been officially launched by the United Kingdom's Department of Energy & Climate Change.
The Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters project, located in the channel between the Orkney islands and the mainland of Scotland, will incorporate the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) and hopes to bring further attention to hydrokinetic development.
"This area is already a vital part of the marine industry, thanks to its high tidal stream and wave resource," says U.K. Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker. "This park will help bring together local knowledge and expertise to spur on further development in this exciting industry."
Barker says hydrokinetic energy could account for as much as 27 GW of power in the U.K. alone by 2050, making it a US$23.6 billion industry.
The United Kingdom announced this past week that it has increased the number of renewable obligation certificates it will grant some hydrokinetic technologies.
