A bold vision for harnessing Scotland’s tidal energy could hold the key to tackling energy challenges faced by remote coastal communities, offering a way to break free from expensive and polluting diesel and oil dependency.
A new report, led by the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) and Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult, highlights how directly connecting coastal areas to local tidal power projects could deliver clean, reliable energy without relying on a national grid connection.
Conducted for Crown Estate Scotland, Scottish Enterprise, and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, the study explores the untapped potential for communities to access tidal-derived electricity or even convert it into green hydrogen, a promising clean fuel with major industrial applications.
By using locally generated tidal power, communities could move towards energy independence while reducing the costly and lengthy transportation of diesel and oil – a burden on both the economy and the environment.
The study also identifies job creation and revenue-generating opportunities from community-led tidal projects, painting an optimistic future for economic growth around these coastal areas.
Out of 30 tidal stream sites reviewed around Scotland’s coastline, 20 emerged as suitable for direct energy connections, with several specific projects highlighted as pioneers in this movement.
On Islay, the Protium project aims to help local whisky distilleries achieve carbon neutrality by 2040, with green hydrogen as the backbone of this transformation.
In Orkney, tidal energy from the Pentland Firth is set to power synthetic fuel production on the island of Flotta, showcasing Scotland’s potential as a leader in clean energy innovation.
For the islands of Barra and Vatersay, battery storage could be deployed to capture tidal power, offering a clean alternative to diesel generators and boosting energy security.
While grid connectivity remains an ultimate goal, this approach to localised tidal power is seen as a valuable supplement, maximising the use of Scotland’s abundant marine resources.
The report also raises the prospect of repurposing oil and gas infrastructure for hydrogen production, capitalising on the expertise of Scotland’s existing workforce in the transition to a low-carbon economy.
As the UK Marine Energy Council pushes towards 1 GW of tidal energy by 2035—with Scotland projected to contribute 700 MW—this study sheds light on the potential for tidal power to reshape energy landscapes in Scotland’s coastal communities.
Carolyn MacPhee, Development Manager at Crown Estate Scotland, emphasises the significance of tidal energy as a stable renewable resource, acknowledging the challenges of grid connectivity but championing this innovative approach to benefit local economies.
Eileen Linklater, Corporate Affairs Director at EMEC, adds that alternative offtake routes are crucial for driving net-zero targets, urging strategic planning and policy adjustments to unlock the full potential of tidal energy in Scotland.
