An important seminar on EU offshore wind and marine energy is being hosted by Argyll and Bute Council on Friday (2 March). It has been arranged to discuss how European policy and funding can be used to help develop the renewables potential of the west coast of the Highlands and Islands to encourage sustainable economic growth in the area. 

The seminar, which will take place at the Scottish Marine Institute at Dunstaffnage, home of the Scottish Association for Marine Science, will be opened by Argyll and Bute Council leader Dick Walsh and Fergus Ewing MSP, Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism. It will bring together national and European policy experts as well as key figures from the renewables industry.

Many topics will be up for discussion at the seminar including the physical infrastructure requirements needed to support offshore and marine renewables, what opportunities exist in relation to business and skills development in the renewables sector within the area and to identify how European policy and funding can be used to help unlock the renewable energy potential of the west coast. 

Council Leader Dick Walsh said, “Argyll and Bute and the wider west coast have some of Europe’s best renewables resources and can make a significant contribution to the ambitious Scottish, UK and European renewable energy and carbon reduction targets if the right legislation, regulatory conditions and funding support allows.

“A quarter of Europe’s potential offshore wind and tidal energy resource and a tenth of Europe’s wave capacity is found in Scotland. Argyll and Bute Council has a vision to be at the heart of renewable energy development in Scotland. We already have a distinguished track record of pioneering and delivering projects like The Limpet at Portnahaven in Islay, the world’s first commercial wave power energy scheme.

Argyll and Bute Council’s goal is to maximise the opportunities for sustainable economic growth for the benefit of our communities and Scotland as a whole.”

Douglas Cowan, HIE Area Manager for Argyll and the Islands, said: “Argyll’s marine resource is a tremendous natural asset for the area which can produce both environmental and economic benefits.

“For generations, this valuable resource has supported jobs in a range of sectors including fishing, the food industry and tourism. Now we have a significant opportunity to support new, cutting edge developments in marine science and renewable energy here in Argyll.

“With work now under way on our new European Marine Science Park, Dunstaffnage makes the perfect setting for this influential gathering.”