Scotland sees future in tidal energy

Tidal energy in Scotland represents about 25 percent of the total tidal stream potential in all of Europe, the Scottish energy minister said. Scottish Energy Minister Fergus Ewing said there were 10 full-scale wave and tidal prototypes planned for his country by the end of 2011. "Scotland's wave and tidal energy resource is almost unparalleled, representing around a quarter of Europe's tidal stream and 10 percent of its wave energy potential," he said in a statement. "Marine energy can make an enormous contribution to energy security in future years and contribute to economic growth across the European Union." Scotland is at the forefront of wave technology despite harsh environmental conditions, he added. A 10-megawatt facility approved by Edinburgh for the Sound of Islay will provide economic stimulus to communities in southwestern Scotland. The project would generate enough power to meet the energy demands of more than 5,000 homes, more than double the amount of houses on the Isle of Islay. Edinburgh aims to get 100 percent of its electricity demand from renewable energy by 2020. The country used renewable energy to meet 27 percent of its demand in 2009.