One of the UK's biggest studies into the environmental effects of marine renewable energy has begun in Scotland. The Scottish Executive has commissioned the study, an SEA (Strategic Environmental Assessment), to examine the environmental effects of using tidal and wave power to generate energy.

The study has started with a consultation about the scope of the project and is open to anyone with an interest in renewable energy or the marine and coastal environment.

The study will be fundamental to the development of Scotland's renewable energy industry and is likely to inform national policy. For this reason, consultants Faber Maunsell, in association with environmental engineers Metoc plc, have published a scoping report and want the views of a wide range of stakeholders, including environmental groups, designers and manufacturers of marine energy technology, and project developers.

The scoping report sets out the proposed methodology of the study and highlights areas where more information is needed. In particular, Faber Maunsell and Metoc will be conducting specialist assessment of the effect of these marine devices on a variety of issues ranging from shipping and navigation, marine mammals and birds, to the coastal landscape.

Iain Bell, project director from Faber Maunsell said: "We will be looking at the impact of tidal and wave systems on everything from seals and birds to fisherman and how developments might affect communities or habitats on the shore. We want to make sure this study is as thorough as possible and we welcome contributions to the assessment via the scoping consultation. Ultimately this strategic assessment will be used to inform national and local level decisions on marine renewable energy policy."

Iain added: "Consultation is a very important part of this study. In particular we will be looking closely at the technology because the majority of wave and tidal devices are still in the early stages of development. It is also an opportunity for people with an interest in developing marine renewables to let us know what they want from the study."

Faber Maunsell and Metoc will be examining proposed sites on the Western Seaboard of Scotland (including the Inner Isles, Western Isles, and Argyll and Bute), the Pentland Firth, and the Northern Isles (Orkney and Shetland).

The Forum for Renewable Energy Development in Scotland (FREDS) estimated that Scotland could have 1,300MW of energy capacity from marine renewables by 2020.

For more information, visit www.seaenergyscotland.co.uk