Scotland consults on energy prize

A £10-million Saltire Prize is to be established to encourage Scottish and international scientists work on cutting-edge forms of marine renewable energy and make the country a world leader in the development of environmentally-friendly power.

Jim Mather, the Energy Minister, has assembled a 60-strong group of experts from the energy and renewables industry, academia and the public sector to help develop the competition.

"Today I sensed the buzz building around the prize and asked how we can ensure the Saltire Prize meets our core aims - an ambitious, transformational and achievable prize which will benefit the world," the Minister commented.

Mr Mather also said the meeting with the representatives involved "a huge amount of enthusiasm" and yielded many ideas which could be included in the prize's design.

On June 30th, the UK's first commercial wave power station was switched on in Argyll and Bute by Mr Mather, while developer Wavegen said it planned to install 40 more turbines in the Western Isles.