Scotland’s £10 million Saltire Prize for marine energy, announced back in 2008, has officially opened for entrants.

The competition will reward a commercially viable wave or tidal energy technology able to generate at least 100 GW of electricity – enough for 10,000 homes – over two years.

Since its announcement, the Saltire Prize Grand Challenge has received 140 registrations of interest from over 27 countries.

Teams will now be able to submit their applications, ahead of the testing period that will start in June 2012 and run until June 2017.

The extended testing period will allow competitors to secure leasing for sites and meet licensing and consenting requirements.

The Crown Estate, which manages the UK’s coastal waters, has also confirmed that it will run a specific leasing round over the summer to enable competitors test their technologies in Scottish waters.

“Scotland is the place to come to harness the power of our seas and beat climate change for global benefit – and potentially collect £10 million,” commented Scottish Energy Minister Jim Mather.

Scotland is cementing its reputation in the marine energy arena, he added, with the announcement last week of the leasing of ten sites around the Pentland Firth and Orkney for marine energy development.

For further information:
www.scotland.gov.uk
www.thecrownestate.co.uk/

Related stories:
Ten sites in Scottish waters get go ahead for marine power (17-Mar)
Scotland gives marine test centre £2.5 million boost (19-Nov 2009)
Marine renewables could contribute £2.5 billion to Scottish economy (28-Aug 2009)
Largest ever prize for marine renewable energy (9-Apr 2008)