If its potential is to be exploited and developed in a reasonable timescale, Scotland needs to increase understanding to help inform debate, said the Commission. Government advisors, the Sustainable Development Commission, in conjunction with the Scottish Government, today launch On Stream, a guide designed to enthuse and inform debate in the dozens of Scottish coastal communities with real tidal power opportunities.

Last year the Sustainable Development Commission undertook a comprehensive study of tidal power in the UK. It found that tidal stream technology could provide 5 per cent of the UK’s electricity and that 58 per cent of this potential is around the Pentland Firth in Scotland. For this resource to be harnessed the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney must be used to its full potential, it said.

However, the study also found that there is little understanding of tidal stream; for example people often confuse it with other types of renewable energy technology. On Stream aims to break down this confusion so that people can take part in the public debate about the future of tidal energy from an informed position, said the Commission.

Tidal stream technology uses the energy contained in fast-flowing tidal currents which are generally found in constrained channels. Emerging tidal stream technologies present exciting opportunities for low carbon energy production, and there are potentially huge rewards in terms of the export potential of this new technology.

The Commission found that success so far in Scotland is due to the ingenuity and perseverance of the device developers, combined with the commitment shown to date by the UK and Scottish Governments.

Commissioner Hugh Raven said: “Scotland is currently a world leader in the development of a wide spectrum of tidal stream devices, and has huge potential for this new industry - both in its contribution to UK electricity supply and to future exports, and therefore jobs.

“Tidal stream offers big opportunities. However, for it to become a viable proposition Government must ‘stay the course’, whilst putting in place a robust regulatory framework and supporting the research required to understand potential environmental impacts. Developing this new industry will take time and everyone needs to be realistic about the timescale.

“As tidal stream is a significant new industry for Scotland it is important that we all understand the key facts. This booklet has been written in non technical language and will help anyone who wants to know more, whether that is decision makers or members of local communities near potential tidal stream sites.”

John Swinney, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth, said: "Scotland has unrivalled potential to generate clean, green energy from our seas. Marine power lies at the heart of the Scottish Government’s ambitions to develop a vibrant renewables sector, creating jobs and boosting economic growth while tackling climate change.”

To download On Stream go to http://www.sd-commission.org.uk