The deal will involve the two partner’s joining forces to optimize Hammerfest Strom’s technology. There are also plans to launch a full-scale prototype in Scotland. It is hoped that if tests are successful that the new company will be able to develop further projects in Scotland as well as around the globe. Plans are for an installation of the first device in Scottish water’s in 2009.
Keith Anderson who is the Managing Director of ScottishPower's renewables business, was quoted as saying; "This is another milestone in our development of renewable marine energy, and follows the announcement of our Orkney wave project which will be the largest in the world. Collaboration between our two countries, Scotland and Norway, will help us to deploy our massive tidal power resources and reduce our emissions of CO2. Most importantly, by investing now and developing the world-leading technology here in Scotland, this project will help us to secure significant jobs and economic benefits in future."
A spokesman for Hammerfest Strom, Jan Elleyset was quoted as saying; "We are very excited at the prospect of working with ScottishPower. The Scots are leading the world with deployment of marine renewables, and for us Scotland is the ideal location to prove the technology and move on to large-scale manufacturing."
Scotland’s Executive has made renewable energy in wave and tidal forms a priority offering a long term approach with grand and revenue support structures. The Executive has gone on record stating that; "Scotland has the potential to generate a quarter of Europe's marine energy and kick-starting the sector is vital if we are to create a significant industry based in Scotland and meet our long-term renewables targets."
It should be noted that Iberdrola and ScottishPower have completed their merger which was announced back in November 2006. Together the new entity will be a leader in the renewable energy segment with over 40,000 MW under management of the company.
For additional information:
http://www.scottishpower.com/
