EDINBURGH, Scotland, Nov. 24 (UPI) -- Scotland, a world leader in renewable energy development, still has a lot to learn in terms of wave energy programs, the energy minister said.
Minister Fergus Ewing unveiled plans to develop a technology center dubbed "Wave Energy Scotland," which he said would encourage innovation and development in the offshore marine energy sector.
"With the extraordinary ocean energy resources off Scotland's coasts, our belief in the future success of wave energy is undiminished," he said in a Saturday statement.
The Scottish government has put pressure on its British counterparts after a failed bid for independence, arguing for a more diluted power structure when it comes to energy sector management.
The Scottish government says its power systems account for 12 percent of the region's electricity capacity, but it pays 35 percent of the charges.
Independence backers said Scotland could've drawn on revenue from offshore oil and gas reserves while powering the economy with renewable energy.
Ewing's announcement came one day after wave energy company Pelamis said it's been unable to find the funding necessary to continue with its pioneering wave energy technology.
"As a result of this, the board has reluctantly moved to appoint an administrator to assess the options for securing the future for the business and employees of Pelamis," the company's statement said.
Ewing said the Scottish government understands wave energy technology is in its infancy. Given that, he said, it's not surprising that investors are reluctant to embrace marine power.
"Now is the right time to consider the future of our support for wave energy in Scotland," he said. "This is a young industry, and we still have a lot of learning to do in marine renewables."
