SCOTLAND: Wave power lessons must be learnt - Stone

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 23rd Feb 2004

The Pelamis Wave Energy Converter Machine has been launched in Leith by Jim Wallace, the Enterprise Minister. Pelamis is the first deep-water, grid-connected wave generator device trialled anywhere in the world.

The launch comes after the publication of research forecasting that the amount of money spent globally on renewable energy is expected to grow to £25 billion a year by 2007.

Welcoming the launch, Scottish Liberal Democrat Enterprise spokesperson Jamie Stone said:

"Twenty years ago, wave power funding was abandoned by the Tory Government amid scepticism by the civil service. We must not make the same mistake again. With the massive potential for energy generation and job creation in Scotland, the Scottish marine energy companies require political support from all sides at all stages of the development of this technology.

"I welcome government support for Pelamis to help it get to this stage. However, the UK Government must follow this through by providing a route to the electricity market place for new renewables technologies, including a guaranteed price for the electricity generated as is available in Portugal, and ensuring that grid connections do not place a prohibitive barrier in their way."