Gibson calls for Port tax holiday

News release
Immediate release
08/06/09

Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson has called for the Crown Estate to give a tax holiday for ports which serve the Scottish marine renewables revolution.

Mr Gibson was talking after the Crown Estate announced that it received 42 applications from 20 bidders trying to secure leases for the seabed in the Pentland Firth and around Orkney.

Mr Gibson said that the welcome announcement which showed that strong progress was being made....

"The exciting range of interest in real tidal and wave projects for the Pentland Firth confirms that Scotland's green energy revolution is rolling ahead."

However he warned that if support for ports which could be the launch pads and support for the tidal machines was not speedily built then the revolution would falter.....

"It would be prudent if Highlands & Islands Enterprise gave top priority backing necessary to put port infrastructure in place to launch tidal and wave power machines from Scrabster and Lyness."

"In addition the Crown Estate Commission should offer all ports that support marine energy development a rent holiday for the next ten years to boost funds for each port to respond quickly to the opportunities these 42 applications open up."

ENDS