Multiple bids for each of the lease types and all capacities have been received by the UK's Crown Estate, the body controlling the seabed around the shores of the United Kingdom, in the world's first large scale commercial wave and tidal energy leasing round. The announcement, made by the Crown Estate earlier this week, covers leases for wave and tidal energy projects in the Pentland Firth strategic area in the north of Scotland.

A total of 42 applications from 20 bidders for wave and tidal energy leases were received by the closing date (15th May) with the  applications range from 10 MW demonstration sites all the way up to the highest band of 200-300 MW commercial sites, says the Crown estate. The strong response to the competitive tender, says the body, demonstrates a real drive to develop this industry and create a strong marine energy sector in the UK. However, this is heavily dependent on implementing solutions to a number of issues including: grid, consenting processes, supply chain and economic support for the projects.

A detailed and confidential evaluation process of the bids will now be carried out by The Crown Estate to identify those bids that demonstrate the capabilities and commitment necessary to safely deploy wave or tidal energy devices in the Pentland Firth strategic area. Throughout the summer negotiations with prospective developers will commence, prior to awarding agreements for lease.

Welcoming the bids, First Minister of Scotland Alex Salmond said: "The Scottish government is delighted with the level of applications received by The Crown Estate for the development of marine renewables in the Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters.

"The Pentland Firth has the potential to become the Saudi Arabia of marine power, and the vast potential of this area will deliver more investment, jobs and opportunities to communities in and around the Pentland Firth and Orkney, and benefit to the whole of Scotland.

"Scotland boasts a quarter of Europe's wave and tidal resource, and we are leading the way in developing these technologies through the world's only accredited wave and tidal testing centre, the European Marine Energy Centre in Orkney, and the Scottish government's £10 million Saltire Prize - one of the biggest international government innovation prizes in history."

Welcoming the investment made to date by organisations in detailed planning and application process for wave and tidal energy leases in the Pentland Firth strategic area, Rob Hastings, Director of the Marine Estate at The Crown Estate, said: "The Crown Estate is delighted to support the growth of the wave and tidal energy industry in the UK, aiming to ensure that we are at the forefront of marine energy generation. Along with our partners we are committed to driving the industry forward. We are working closely with the Scottish government and other stakeholders to look at the issues surrounding supply chain developments and the economic opportunities available to Scotland.

"Our match funding of option fees demonstrate both The Crown Estate's and the developers' commitment to realising the potential of wave and tidal energy in the Pentland Firth strategic area. The Crown Estate believes that targeted investment now will help reassure stakeholders whilst reducing development timescales."