The demand for clean, locally produced, and renewable, energy is stronger today than ever before. Governments across the world are taking action, whether because of global warming fears, to address concerns about energy security, or as protection against the spiralling costs of fossil fuels.

In the UK, this action takes the form of an incentive for clean energy production - the renewable obligation certificate, or ROC (link to Ofgem website explanation of ROCs). This is effectively an increase in the electricity sales price and it provides sufficient support to make tidal power farms commercially attractive today.

The UK has also committed significant grant funding into marine energy, with £22m recently awarded to 6 companies. At Pulse Tidal, we have benefited from European Union support, with an €8m grant awarded late in 2009.

Combined with the award of Pentland Firth leases (more information) in March 2010, these Government support schemes have created a strong market for tidal power in the UK.

However, the UK is not acting alone, with a number of other countries, including Ireland, Portugal, France, Spain, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Korea, Australia and the USA, supporting tidal power in various ways.