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The SNP leadership hopeful Ash Regan has toured the FloWave Ocean Energy Research facility at Edinburgh University today as she reaffirms her commitment to renewable energy if she becomes First Minister.
Ash Regan used this visit to support her commitment to net zero amidst backlash over her comments on the continued use of coal and gas.
In a tweet, Ash Regan said: “I will not support an accelerated net zero , path which sees us turn off the North Sea taps, throw 10s of 1000s of oil workers out of jobs, hollow out NE & H&I communities whilst still using and importing hydrocarbons. I will stand up for our oil workers and their communities.”
Speaking to one of her advisor’s they said: “Ash is very keen to have Scotland be a leader in renewable energy, but we have oil and gas that needs to be exploited here not importing it, we can’t just turn everybody’s power off.
“We should’ve started a lot sooner, but we are where we are and we have to use the resources we have to keep people alive and warm.”
FloWave Started in 2014 to help accelerate the testing and development of novel ocean energy technology.
At 25 meters in diameter and with a 2-meter-deep circulation basin, this simulation pool is designed to replicate the behaviour of our ocean’s waves and currents. To create the right environment, the pool is surrounded by segmented panels which pulsate to the desired rhythmic programming.
As Regan stood for her photoshoot, researchers performed a demonstration.
Ash Regan said: “We’re here at FloWave and I have just been told this is the first-round tank of its type in the world. And obviously this is what they can use to test wave energy devices and also tidal turbines as well.
“We are leading the world at the moment on this, although other countries are also developing this technology. We have a lot of innovation in Scotland and there’s a big opportunity here, I think, for the economy. We need to develop devices and get them into production. We need a good patient funding stream for that which is one of the key parts we are missing a little at the moment. And then there is a huge opportunity for Scotland to be building these devices – lots of skilled jobs, and also in generating electricity once these go into large scale production.
“I also think decommissioning of oil and gas should be a big part of our plan going forward. This type of technology is how we move to the just transition and how we create lots of skilled jobs for people in Scotland that can replace the ones that will eventually fade out for oil and gas.”
“Supporting development from laboratory to ocean, University of Edinburgh’s innovative FloWave facility is a leading example of how Scotland’s energy potential can be used.
“To achieve net zero we must become a leader in renewable energy, using the skills and revenue from decarbonised oil and gas production.
“As First Minister I will ensure that Scotland is the rock on which European energy security can depend as we progress towards a net zero future.”
