Saltire Prize Welcomed

Media comment: Wednesday 2nd April 2008

Today the Scottish Government announced the details of the Saltire Prize, 'one of the biggest international innovation prizes in history' through a £10 million ($20 million) challenge prize for advances in clean energy.

The Saltire Prize draws inspiration from other great innovation prizes of the 20th century to encourage faster advances in renewable electricity generation.

With 18% of electricity already generated by renewables, Scotland is a world-leader in alternative energy.

Dr Bernie Bulkin, SDC Commissioner said:

"The Saltire Prize will help drive innovation and attract the interest of engineers, developers and investors from across the world.

"This prize is an ambitious way to encourage innovation and faster learning so that marine energy can play its part in delivering low carbon electricity for Scotland and aboard.

"The industry cannot overcome the many challenges faced in capturing the energy from our seas without innovative government support. We need to get test projects into the water and see rapid learning from early schemes.”


Read more about the Saltire Prize

Read more about the SDC's work on tidal power