The report has been completed to give companies wishing to be part of the supply chain an overview of the key issues, supply chain structure, project life cycles and main players in the sector. It says that while most governments have introduced schemes to encourage the development and uptake of renewable energy, most work to date has focussed on wind and solar power. There are, however, opportunities now developing in the wave and tidal power market.

Colin Gordon of the Scottish Enterprise Energy Team said, 'It is reckoned wave and tidal power will yield a UK based market alone worth £90m in the next few years, so there are potentially big opportunities for Scottish companies.

'We have a very strong academic base, we play host to a number of marine energy technology developers, we have an established marine engineering sector and, of course, we have an international reputation in offshore industries. Combined with the fact that Scotland has the majority share of Europe's huge natural wave and tidal energy resources, it means Scottish firms already enjoy key advantages and are well placed to take advantages of opportunities in this sector.'

MJ Information No: 21747