Mark Lazarowicz: Edinburgh North & Leith

•

•

•

•

•

	Renewable Energy in Scotland
	Mark Lazarowicz (Edinburgh, North and Leith) (Lab/Co-op): What discussions he has had with his ministerial colleagues regarding the development of renewable energy sources in Scotland. [1951] The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (David Cairns): Scotland Office Ministers and officials are in regular contact with UK Departments and the Scottish Executive on a wide range of energy-related issues. Mark Lazarowicz: I thank my hon. Friend for his answer and congratulate him on his appointment to the Scotland Office. He will know that Ocean Power Delivery, which is headquartered in my constituency, has won a contract to build the world's first commercial wave farm, showing that Scotland and the UK can lead the world in renewable energy. However, he will also know that that wave farm is to be situated in Portugal. What can he do to ensure that Scotland and the UK develop wave energy on a commercial basis? I should add that such a programme would cost much less than the £10 billion required to support a civil nuclear programme. David Cairns: I thank my hon. Friend for his kind words. I am aware of the project that he mentions, and I congratulate OPD on winning that order from the Portuguese. This is a Scottish success story, in that we have developed the technology that is being purchased abroad. Of course, the project would not have reached this stage had it not been for the investment of a significant amount of taxpayers' money. OPD has benefited from £3.2 million of such investment from the Department of Trade and Industry's technology programme, and it is benefiting from the investment of £6 million in the European marine energy centre in Orkney, where such technology is being trialled. In addition, a £50 million fund is to be set aside, which OPD can bid into to develop marine energy further. Taken together, that demonstrates that the Government not only are committed to renewable energy but are making resources available to make that happen in Scotland and elsewhere.

	Back to Speeches
	7th June 2005, Column 1115-6