24 March, 2007

SHETLAND and Orkney MP Alistair Carmichael has called on the government to improve levels of support for marine renewable energy development.

Marine renewables harness wave and tidal energy to create electricity. Currently the technology is still at the research stage and not being used on a large scale anywhere in the UK.

The government's Marine Renewables Deployment Fund was set up to help the industry on its feet, but Mr Carmichael believes it is not being run efficiently," he said.

"Since it was opened for applications in February last year the Marine Renewables Deployment Fund has only received two applications and they have both been rejected."

Mr Carmichael said he wants more flexibility introduced into the fund to "allow more companies to get more devices into the water."

Secretary of State Alistair Darling admitted that there were problems. "The reason for this grant being difficult to get is because it does set quite a high criteria before applicants are eligible."

Mr Carmichael added: "It is essential that dti support is made available to help the marine renewables sector, so that we can increase the amount of power generated from this renewable source."