The cut in funding support to Wave Energy Scotland (WES) by the Scottish Government is a reminder of the fluctuating fortunes of marine renewables when politicians shift the focus to other sources of energy.
According to WES it is a ” a key influencer in the Scottish energy landscape, having built a position of valuable influence both domestically and internationally. Continued public sector investment is required to exploit Scotland’s position commercially.”
It appears that the crucial public sector investment, once recognised by successive Scottish Governments, is no longer there for WES.
Could it secure public investment from the UK Labour Government?
In June 2025, the UK Government, launched the Marine Energy Taskforce (MET), “a strategic initiative aimed at unlocking the country’s vast wave and tidal energy potential. Backed by The Crown Estate and Crown Estate Scotland, the Taskforce will develop a roadmap to support the growth of marine renewables and strengthen the UK’s position as a global leader in clean energy.”
The Orbital Marine , Eday Project 2.4 MW, is one of 4 four tidal stream projects which has been successful in the latest allocation of funding from the UK Government. According to the Marine Energy Council when it comes to Wave power ” the UK has over 20GW of wave energy potential which could provide over 20% of its current electricity demand. “
Is funding from the UK Labour Government a possibility to secure the continued development of wave power ?
The Golden Age of Nuclear.
The UK Labour Government has set its sights on developing more Nuclear Power plants. The UK Government refers to this as a ‘Golden Age’ of Nuclear Power and AI centres. Making the announcement on 4 February 2026 UK Minister for Nuclear Patrick Vallance said:
“We are seizing the opportunity to become a frontrunner in this space as part of our golden age of nuclear, creating the conditions for the industry to flourish.
“Advanced nuclear technology could revolutionise how we power industry and propel the AI data centre boom – delivering more clean energy and jobs.”
The SNP Scottish Government opposes the building of new Nuclear Power Stations in Scotland “using current technologies.”
What’s next for Wave Energy Scotland?
The Orkney SNP candidate in the elections to the Scottish Parliament, Robert Leslie, will use the visit by the First Minister of Scotland, John Swinney on Sunday 22 February to seek reassurance that alternative sources of funding will be found for Wave Energy Scotland.
Mike Macleod, the Labour candidate for the constituency has condemned the cut in funding by the Scottish Government. Will the UK Labour Government step in ? Previous actions by Tory UK Governments have not been supportive of green energy projects.
Wave power firm Pelamis calls in administrators, 21 November 2014.
Commenting on the cut to Wave Energy Scotland Robert Leslie said:
“Wave Energy Scotland was set up by the Scottish Government in 2014 to retain some of the assets of Pelamis Wave Power, which was the victim of lack of backing from the UK Government, signalled by David Cameron’s call in 2013 to ‘get rid of the green crap’.
“It was yet another example of the SNP Scottish Government doing all it could, within the limited powers of devolution, to support the wave and tidal sectors, in which Orkney’s European Marine Energy Centre is a world leader.
“Cameron’s short-sighted approach is estimated to have added £22 billion to UK energy bills since 2015. It cannot be forgotten that the Tories were at the time being propped up by the LibDems in the ConDem Coalition. In fact Ed Davey was UK Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change when Pelamis Wave Power collapsed.
“The current situation with Wave Energy Scotland is obviously of concern, and I will be seeking reassurance from the First Minister over the efforts to secure alternative funding to ensure Orkney remains a leading player in marine renewables.
“However, energy policy remains reserved to the Labour government at Westminster, where more money for military might seems easier to come across right now than funding to ensure our country’s energy security.
“The renewable energy resources around Orkney and the rest of Scotland should be working for Scotland’s people and not shareholders elsewhere. I will continue to make the case for an independent Scotland, with the powers to bring energy bills down, something Labour at Westminster has failed to do, with the price of a unit of electricity currently almost five times that of a unit of gas.
“Orkney households with no access to that cheaper, yet dirtier, fuel should not have to ration their energy usage and go cold due to the inequity of being surrounded by renewable generation – whether wind, wave, tidal or solar – and yet facing some of the highest energy bills in Europe.”
Offshore Wind
The Scottish Government has shifted its focus to Offshore Wind. Its ” Green Industrial Strategy, published in 2024, recognises offshore wind as a priority opportunity area, where Scotland has globally competitive strengths and the potential to deliver transformational economic growth.”
Map of all Scottish offshore wind projects (as of January 2026)
By 2040, the Scottish Government plans to have 40 GW of new offshore wind capacity, in addition to the already operational or consented capacity.
The industrialisation of Scotland’s seas has never seen such a flurry of development since the oil and gas boom. The tables below list the various stages the offshore wind farms are at.
Since this data was published on 28 January 2026, The West of Orkney wind farm has been paused, citing as the reason unfair Grid charges.
The Scottish Government has a budget limited by the constraints of Devolution. Energy is one of those areas where it ‘shares’ some elements of its development with the UK Government. Alex Salmond, in his role as First Minister very much recognised the important role of the energy sector in developing Scotland’s economy. Every First Minister since him has looked more towards the social and domestic situations people are facing, diverting the budget to protecting Scotland against the worst effects of UK Government austerity measures.
Scotland has built up over the decades well recognised expertise in the innovation and development of wave energy. This has huge potential, not just for installing wave energy devices in Scotland and harnessing the power of nature, but for exporting to rUK. More importantly as climate change warms the Earth at an unprecedented rate, our politicians have a duty to follow the science and make the bold funding choices to secure a future for the generations to come.
Fiona Grahame
Leave a Reply