Energy
The lead Administration on Marine Energy is the Scottish Government and on Electricity Grids is the UK Government
Exploitation of renewable energy resources, for instance wave and tidal, to generate electricity represents a significant opportunity both to meet growing energy needs and climate change goals. However, exploiting this potential involves overcoming technological and economic challenges which requires Government support.
At the twelfth BIC Summit in February 2009, the Council agreed the establishment of the BIC Energy work sector with two groups focused on addressing these challenges: Marine Renewables (led by the Scottish Government) and Electricity Grids (led by the UK Government).
The Marine Energy subgroup has been working with the EU’s Ocean Energy Association (EU-OEA) and the EU Marine Energy Interest Group to raise the profile of marine renewables with the European Commission. Recognising the importance of this topic to BIC Member Administrations it was also chosen as a theme for the BIC Summit in Stirling in June 2012. Whilst much has been done, it is essential that we continue to work collaboratively across borders to maintain momentum, to further develop the marine renewables industry and tackle the ever growing need for energy whilst meeting the challenging climate change goals
The Electricity Grids subgroup has been focussed on the potential for renewable energy trading between BIC members. This has involved identifying the costs and benefits of doing so, along with the barriers. Work has also been undertaken to look at how ‘joint projects’ between BIC member administrations would fit into the different regulatory regimes prevailing
