A recent report by the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) and the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult, conducted in partnership with Crown Estate Scotland, Scottish Enterprise, and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, focused on the potential of local tidal energy projects in Scotland to support coastal communities in achieving net zero emissions. The study investigated 30 tidal stream energy projects around Scotland, with 20 identified as viable for direct connection to end-users without relying solely on the national grid. Leveraging tidal power alongside larger-scale connections can optimize energy generation and utilization. Financially, tidal stream power emerges as a competitive option, with a levelised cost of energy (LCOE) around £240/MWh, making it a favorable substitute for diesel generation, which can cost between £250-£600/MWh. Furthermore, the report emphasizes the benefits of reducing diesel and oil reliance, enhancing energy resilience, and fostering economic growth through job creation in rural areas. Notably, the potential of green hydrogen production from tidal stream developments is highlighted, with a focus on utilizing this energy source to create synthetic fuels and cater to high heat industrial processes like distilleries. The report also provides recommendations to overcome market barriers and accelerate tidal project deployment. These include increasing funding such as the Contracts for Difference (CfD) tidal ringfence budget, establishing feed-in tariffs for smaller projects, exploring tidal energy's role in the green hydrogen sector, and implementing battery energy storage systems within communities. The insights from this study underscore the significance of tidal stream energy in advancing net zero ambitions, bolstering energy security, and driving sustainable growth in the UK.