Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael has moved to smooth the way for Europe’s largest tidal power scheme to be based off the north coast.
The Liberal Democrat MP for Orkney and Shetland said he was holding talks with key officials about MeyGen, a development of six tidal energy turbines in the Pentland Firth.
He said he wanted to ensure that nothing stood in the way of the “very exciting” multi-million pound development.
John Thurso, the MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, raised the issue at Scottish questions in Westminster yesterday.
He said: “My right honourable friend will be well aware that marine renewable energy presents a considerable opportunity for inward international investment as well as for export, based on the knowledge we have acquired
“In that regard, it is vital that MeyGen’s project goes ahead. What discussions has he had with either the Department of Energy and Climate Change or the Crown Estate to enable that to happen?”
Mr Carmichael responded: “I have had a number of discussions involving my colleagues in DECC and in the Crown Estate.
“I am very keen to ensure that no procedural difficulties will stand in the way of the development from MeyGen, which, as he and I both know, is a very exciting and potentially lucrative development for his area.”