MP Pushes for Pentland Firth Power
May 11, 2006 12:00 AM
At Scottish Questions in the House of Commons this week, local MP, John Thurso, pressed the case for investment in tidal energy in the Pentland Firth in a question to the new Secretary of State for Scotland, Douglas Alexander.
He asked:
"May I draw the Minister's attention to the research that has been undertaken by the Environmental Research Institute of the North Highland College in Thurso on the energy that exists in the tidal flow in the Pentland Firth? Is he aware that companies would like to exploit that; and what can he do to offer assistance, especially in conjunction with the Department for Trade and Industry, to further such projects, which represent a real opportunity to use the skills of the workforce from the decommissioning at Dounreay?
Speaking afterwards, John Thurso said:
"The Pentland Firth offers one of the best, if not the best, opportunity for exploiting tidal power in the UK. In addition to this natural resource, we have two important further assets. The first is excellent people, in that we have highly skilled engineers and scientists experienced in the energy field. The second is the combination of the North Highland College in Thurso and the Environmental Research Institute, which between them offer an unrivalled academic base. It is important that the Government and DTI are fully aware of the potential and offer support.
"The Minister's response was positive and I will certainly be taking up his offer to brief him further. I will also be pressing this with the DTI."
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