A recent report produced by the Centre for Understanding Sustainable Practice (CUSP) at Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, and supported by the Scottish Government, has been delivered to help the Maldives develop the potential for marine energy with a view to becoming the first carbon neutral State by 2020.

The report follows the signing of a statement of cooperation in 2009 between First Minister Alex Salmond and President Mohamed Nasheed.

It provides an assessment of the potential for marine energy in the Maldives by looking at both the technological and socio-economic dimensions of deploying marine renewables in the future energy mix.

It also provides an assessment of the suitability of the conditions and natural resources in the waters around the Maldives for producing marine energy.


Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Stewart Stevenson, said: "Scotland is again making a difference for the developing world. The Maldives aims to be carbon neutral within 10 years and this study uses Scottish low carbon expertise to help the country meet the challenges of climate change.

"Scotland is already a leader in the research, development and deployment of marine energy, with a quarter of Europe's wave potential, significant planned investment in the sector and our unique £10 million Saltire Prize. We are seeing huge advances in the skills and expertise required to harness the power of the seas and I am confident there will be further opportunities for international research collaboration."

Director of CUSP at Robert Gordon University, Alan Owen, commented: "It has been an exciting experience to share our many years of experience with marine energy in the Maldives and elsewhere to provide both the Scottish and the Maldivian Government with a thorough insight into the potential of marine renewables.

"A two-week site visit measuring the currents and computational fluid mechanics modelling afterwards in our Research Centre enabled us to provide a first indication of the marine potential for the Maldives. We are looking forward to further close co-operation between Scotland and the Maldives to tackle climate change, in particular where the effects will be felt first."

(JG/BMcC)