Seòmar agus comataidhean

The process for appointing a new chief executive of Scottish Development International (SDI) is continuing. Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise officials are in close and active discussion about next steps.

Ministers have defined their expectations of the role SDI and its new chief executive should play, but the appointment process is a matter for Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise senior management, under the auspices of the Civil Service Commission.

Lena Wilson, the chief operating officer of Scottish Enterprise, is the acting chief executive of SDI. Under the current interim leadership team, SDI continues to deliver excellent results.

We continue to issue grant payments to projects supported by the Wave and Tidal Energy Support Scheme. We will monitor closely the progress made by these projects before making a decision on the provision of further direct grant support.

The Scottish Government aims to maximise the contribution of marine energy firstly through long-term market support, such as via the Renewables Obligation (Scotland).

Our £13 million Wave and Tidal Energy Support Scheme will help the development of a number of wave and tidal projects, and we will continue to support the European Marine Energy Centre in Orkney.

We will work to address major strategic issues, such as the provision, availability and affordability of grid capacity and subsea links both within and beyond the UK.

We have set out plans to establish a Marine Energy Policy Group, which will lead on actions relating to further environmental research, monitoring and the production of locational guidance for the marine renewables sector.

We will also continue our close dialogue with marine energy developers and key stakeholders to ensure that relevant issues are addressed as they arise and that our goals are being pursued in a sensible, joined-up manner.

The development of individual marine energy projects will enable the involvement of and input from local communities via the relevant consents process. We believe that communities should be able to invest in and benefit meaningfully from renewables projects in their areas. This is an issue for renewables more generally, and one which the Scottish Government is exploring closely, including the preparation of guidance which will help communities to gain maximum benefit from renewables projects.

It is not the Scottish Government''s policy to set targets for capacity from individual renewable energy technologies. However, a resource study in 2001 found that there is enough potential capacity from wave and tidal energy around Scotland''s coastline to meet our demand for electricity several times over. This suggests that marine energy can make a significant contribution towards achieving our renewables targets and we are working to help the sector maximise that contribution in as short a time frame as possible.

The Scottish Government set out its plans for the marine energy sector in a Marine Energy Policy Statement, published in February and available on the Scottish Government website:

www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Business-Industry/Energy/19185/MEPS.

In addition, I will set out next month an overview of the Scottish Government''s approach to energy.

The data and information provided in our marine energy strategic environmental assessment (SEA) provides a solid foundation for potential developers regarding the environmental sensitivities which their projects ought to take into account.

The marine energy policy group will take forward the recommendations set out in the SEA, including the need to provide strategic locational guidance for developers and further environmental research. The group will be chaired by the Scottish Government and include key industry, environmental and regulatory stakeholders.

The Scottish Government is encouraging the development of expertise in the marine energy sector in a number of ways.

We continue to support activities at and improvements to the European Marine Energy Centre in Orkney, including work to develop internationally recognised standards and certification for marine devices.

In addition to the Scottish Government''s £13 million Wave and Tidal Energy Support Scheme, Scottish Enterprise''s Proof of Concept programme supports development activities at Scotland''s universities and research institutes. This includes recent support for a pioneering tidal turbine technology being developed at the University of Strathclyde. Support for marine developers is also available through Scottish Enterprise''s Marine Collaboration Fund, which aims to reduce development costs and improve device performance by accessing advice from other relevant sectors.

Through Scottish Enterprise we are undertaking mapping and analysis of the marine energy sector, including databases for research and development activity and manufacturing, and supply chain mapping to highlight the current strengths and weaknesses in the supply chain.

The Marine Energy Policy Group will lead on producing strategic locational guidance to identify the most appropriate areas for early developments.

The Scottish Government is taking action in a number of areas to develop Scotland''s marine renewables sector.

Our £13 million Wave and Tidal Energy Support Scheme is helping a number of wave and tidal energy projects make the transition from research and development to commercialisation.

Under the Renewables Obligation mechanism the Scottish Government provides higher levels of support for electricity output from marine energy in Scottish waters than elsewhere in the UK. We are currently consulting on proposals for banding the Obligation to maintain the right levels of support for marine energy.

The unique testing facilities at the European Marine Energy Centre in Orkney have received public sector investment totalling £16 million, and provide a world class location for testing and proving these technologies.

The Scottish Government has set out its plans to establish a Marine Energy Policy Group, which will lead on actions relating to further environmental research, monitoring and the production of locational guidance for the marine renewables sector.

We are also lobbying hard on grid and regulatory matters, including pressing OFGEM and National Grid for a fundamental reform of the transmission charging regime.

Agencies were advised by letter last week of the allocations to be made, which have been maintained at previous values continuing our support for and our additional contribution to partnership spend on mental health in Scotland. The partners in Orkney will receive £130,000 toward local mental health services and support.