German utility RWE has pulled out of the Siadar wave power project in Scotland, throwing its future into doubt.
RWE npower renewables, the renewable energy arm of RWE, confirmed at the end of July that it was no longer proceeding with Siadar, which it was developing jointly with wave energy technology firm Wavegen.
RWE says that it wants to focus on marine tidal current technology development. The company is involved in two key tidal projects – one in Orkney, Scotland, and one off the coast of North Wales.
Wavegen, which is owned by Voith Hydro, is reported to be seeking an alternative backer for the 4 MW Siadar project, which received planning consent from the Scottish government in 2009.
“RWE Innogy, although no longer proceeding with the Siadar project, continues to work closely together with Voith, and will focus upon marine tidal current technology,” said RWE npower renewables in a written statement.
RWE and Voith signed an agreement in 2009 to create Voith Hydro Ocean Current Technologies, with RWE holding a 20 per cent stake in the venture.
The joint venture focuses on the development of ocean current technologies and is currently planning to deploy a commercial-scale tidal current turbine in the waters off Orkney.
Siadar would consist of 40 of Wavegen’s 100 kW Limpet turbines. It was awarded £6 million of funding from the Scottish government in 2010.
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