Scotland receives boost for renewables

The first stages of creating renewable energy in Scotland's Pentland Firth could be seen by 2010 or 2011, it has been reported.

The first stages of creating renewable energy in Scotland's Pentland Firth could be seen by 2010 or 2011, it has been reported.

Supported by the Crown Estate, the Firth region has the capacity to not only contribute significant amounts of power to Scottish homes but also to act as a centre of excellence for researchers.

Rob Hastings, director of the marine estate at the Crown Estate, said in a BBC report: "The Crown Estate is keen to play a central role in generating confidence in the investor community - the process we are announcing today is an important step towards achieving just that.

"As well as the economic opportunities for energy production here, the area could become a world-class centre of excellence in wave and tidal power development, research, testing and environmental monitoring."

The news comes just a week after Portugal announced the successful launch of the world's first commercial-use wave power station; a series of three snake-like power generators capable of creating enough energy for over 1,000 homes, while saving 60,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.