Scotland’s longest berth opens for renewables

The 160m extension to the existing 225m pier was officially opened on Tuesday by Neil Kermode, managing director of the Orkney based European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC).

The £8m project is a key component in an ambitious ports development strategy, which is underpinning Orkney’s role in the evolution of technologies that harness energy from waves and tidal currents.

Orkney Islands Council is investing in major infrastructure projects to provide the marine renewables industry with upgraded and newbuild pier and quayside facilities throughout the islands.

The developments, at Hatston, Lyness and Copland’s Dock in Stromness, will support the trialling of technologies at EMEC, as well as the future development of commercial wave and tidal arrays in the Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters.

The extension to Hatston Pier attracted £3.2m in support from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and has resulted in a major support and logistics base strategically located for EMEC’s tidal energy test site off Eday.

“The Council recognised at an early stage how important marine renewable energy would be to the economy of our islands, to Scotland and to the UK as a whole, said OIC convener, Councillor Steven Heddle.

“Investment in our three ports strategy means there are firm foundations in place to maintain and enhance Orkney’s pivotal role in the development of wave and tidal energy generation.

“The pier is now almost a quarter of a mile long and, as well as supporting this important new sector, will serve Orkney well as a berth for a variety of vessels, including ferries, cruise ships and those serving the offshore oil and gas industries.”

Under the three ports strategy, a former wartime naval base at Lyness now has a new lease of life as a multi-purpose logistics base for the wave and tidal energy sectors. This £3m development attracted 40% support in ERDF funding.

Meanwhile, work is underway on a new 100m pier at Copland’s Dock in Stromness.

The £9.2m project is being supported with £2.5m in funding from the Scottish Government and £1.815m from the ERDF. The new pier will support the trialing of technologies at EMEC’s wave test site at Billia Croo as well as commercial marine energy projects in the Pentland Firth and off the west coast of Orkney. The pier is due to be completed early next year.

Orkney has a number of other piers and harbours throughout the islands which could provide further support for the sector in future, as facilities for the servicing and maintenance of wave and tidal devices.