'Perfect' time for renewables sector to thrive

Published Date: 03 February 2010
By JOHN ROSS
A "PERFECT storm" of events is coming together to create ideal conditions for the renewables industry to flourish in Scotland, industry leaders were told.
William Roe, the chairman of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), said yesterday that the development of green energy presents an opportunity that comes around once in a lifetime.Mr Roe was speaking at a event in Inverness attended by leading players in the supply chain and the Crown Estate.He said the development of an onshore wind industry had been dominated by other countries, notably Denmark, but the most immediate opportunity was in offshore wind.Wave and tidal energy hold out great prospects, with the Highlands and Islands hopeful of capturing a share of the market with development of the European Marine Energy Centre in Orkney and the potential of waters around the west coast, Orkney and Shetland.