22
Jan 2009 - Edinburgh,Scotland - One of the
world’s largest wave stations is to be constructed
in the Western Isles of Scotland. Scottish
ministers have granted consent for npower
renewables application to operate a wave
farm with a 4MW capacity at Siadar on the
Isle of Lewis.
It is one of the first
marine renewable energy projects to be approved
in the UK and follows the recent launch
of the £10 million Saltire Prize.
“These kind of near-shore
wave machines will be important for many
of Scotland’s coastal communities in the
future and we welcome the go-ahead for this
pioneering scheme,” said Dr Richard Dixon,
Director of WWF Scotland.
“Scotland is a world
leader on exploiting wave power and continued
support for these green energy schemes will
deliver huge export benefits in technology
and expertise.
“We want the Scottish
Climate Change Bill to set tough targets
to drive Scotland towards a low-carbon economy
and clean, green energy will be an important
part of that transition.”
Scotland’s First Minister
Alex Salmond said: “Today’s announcement
is a significant step in Scotland’s journey
to become a world leader in renewables.
The Siadar wave farm will be one of the
largest consented wave electricity generating
stations in the world. It is the first commercial
wave farm in Scotland and is starting with
a capacity to power around 1,800 homes.”
The Scottish Government
granted consent in September 2007 for a
3 MW array comprising 4 Pelamis machines
at the European Marine Energy Centre in
Orkney. The Pelamis machines float on the
surface of the waves, as distinct to the
40 turbines (4MW) at the proposed Siadar
wave energy station, which will be encased
within a concrete breakwater structure.
The government's Energy
Consents Unit is currently processing 30
renewable project applications - 23 wind
farms and seven hydro projects, with more
applications expected. Their target is to
meet 50 per cent of electricity demand from
renewables by 2020, and an interim target
of 31 per cent by 2011.
+ More
End of the line at famed
film festival
19 Jan 2009 - Audiences
at the famous Sundance film festival are
being treated to the world premiere of a
new movie highlighting the parlous state
of the world's oceans. The End of the Line,
a feature length documentary made with the
support of WWF, has its first showing in
the World Cinema Documentary competition
today (Monday 19th Jan).
The film – based on
the book of the same name by UK environment
journalist Charles Clover – calls for networks
of marine protected areas, well-managed
fishing and sustainable seafood as key solutions
to restoring our oceans’ health and bounty.
Along with several other NGOs, WWF contributed
to the film both financially and with expert
advice.
The End of the Line
points the finger at over-fishing as one
of the main reasons behind the current state
of our marine environment. WWF International's
Director of Marine Programme, Miguel Jorge,
agrees. “Overfishing is the single biggest
immediate threat to our oceans, and the
film highlights some of the most conspicuous
examples of excessive exploitation of marine
resources, such as the decimation of bluefin
tuna stocks in the Mediterranean.”
"It is important
to note that there are many within the fishing
and seafood sectors working hard to fish
responsibly and supply consumers with healthy
seafood that is good for the oceans and
WWF is committed to working openly with
these proactive, progressive players.”
WWF works with seafood
industry leaders - from farmers and fishermen
to buyers - and governments to improve the
management of the world’s fisheries, secure
seafood from sustainable sources, create
standards for certifying seafood products,
and responsibly meet the increasing consumer
demand for sustainable seafood.
After it's Sundance premiere, the film's
producers are hoping for a global cinema
distribution deal.
