Highland residents are being invited to a public information day for an update on new renewable energy projects.

The Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters wave and tidal energy projects will be put up for public consultation at The Pentland Hotel, Thurso, Wednesday 28 November from 15:00 – 20:00.

The projects will be among the first commercial-scale marine renewable energy schemes in the world.

They will be situated within the recently finished Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters Marine Energy Park.

Twelve projects are currently being developed by twelve different companies.

Eleven of the projects were announced in 2010 and are two years into the construction process.

The twelfth project was announced just recently and development is getting underway.


Developers are being supported by the Highland Council, HIE and Scottish Enterprise, the Crown Estate, the Scottish government, Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission (SHETL) and the National Grid.

Trade association Scottish Renewables joins the groups to form the Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters Leadership Forum (PFOWLF).

PFOWLF is hosting the public consultation. Members will be hosting exhibition stands and will be available for questions.

Councillor Drew Hendry, Leader of The Highland Council, welcomed the event as an opportunity to update the public on progress.

He said: "2012 has been a year of significant announcements for marine renewables in the north. The Scrabster Enterprise Area; Scotland’s first Marine Energy Park; the final four competitors for the £10M Saltire Prize; and the official opening of two state of the art facilities at North Highland College.

"With the completion of Phase 1 of Scrabster Harbour Trust’s development and the submission by Meygen to Marine Scotland of its application to build its first phase of tidal power in the Inner Sound of the Pentland Firth it is clear to see that the area is close to the centre of activity in marine renewables.

"I hope members of the public will take this opportunity to meet key players in the development of this exciting industry and to find out more about what it might mean for the area’s economy."

(IT)