The UK Government has published the ‘UK research and development roadmap’ setting out the government’s vision and ambition for science, research and innovation.

Responding, Morag Watson, director of policy at Scottish Renewables, said:

“We welcome the commitment of the UK Government to invest in research and development in technology such as zero-emission vehicles, hydrogen and carbon capture use and storage, which will help in tackling climate change.

“The UK’s remarkable marine energy resource means we currently lead the world in the development of technology to capture clean energy from the sea, but despite our world lead both tidal stream and wave power are effectively locked out of the UK energy market.

“Industry is calling on the UK Government to recognise that wave and tidal are at a different stage of development to mature renewable energy technologies like wind and solar power, and to support them until they can compete.

“Investment in these technologies would provide a huge opportunity for the UK and would allow these devices, and the skills which they’re helping create, tap into an enormous potential global market, driving supply chain and social benefits for the whole of the country.”

The UK research and development roadmap can be found here.