A leading green energy group has given cautious support to an Oxford University report which claims tidal power from the Pentland Firth could generate up to half Scotland’s energy requirements.
The Royal Society paper, which was funded by the Energy Technologies Institute public-private partnership, found that a three-row turbine set-up could produce 1.9gigawats averaged across the fortnightly tide – which would be the equivalent of the half Scotland’s energy consumption.
The report, carried out by researchers at Oxford University, looked at different subchannels within the Firth and differences in tidal cycles to come to its conclusion.
The Oxford approach, using underwater turbines across the full width of the straight to take advantage of tidal strength, would produce up to 16.5terawatt hours of electricity a year.
However, the report’s authors warned: “Generation of significantly more power than this is unlikely to be feasible as the available power per additional swept area of turbine is too small to be viable.”
The findings were backed by Scottish Renewables, but the group’s senior policy manager Lindsay Leask warned caution when comparing the report to other predictions of energy output from the area.
“There are, however, a number of important factors which need to be taken into consideration when estimating just how large a contribution the tidal energy sector can make to renewable electricity output,” she said.
“Various methodologies for calculating our tidal resource already exist and we are continually working to produce better forecasts.
“Due to the differences in methodologies, each assessment should be read and understood on its own merit.
“Yet despite those differences, all studies agree that the Pentland Firth and Scotland as a whole, have a truly remarkable tidal energy resource.”
The Pentland Firth has been earmarked for Scotland’s first marine energy park, with 1GM of tidal projects leased in the area.
The report findings were backed by RenewableUK, who say the research shows the potential for tidal power to answer Scotland’s energy needs in future.
“While the Pentland Firth is undoubtedly the jewel in the crown, Scotland’s large coastline and archipelagos contain a number of significant sites,” said David Krohn, Wind and Tidal Energy Development Manager at RenewableUK.
“The development of the world leading tidal energy industry in Scotland has been partly down to the consistent support it has received from the Scottish Government.
“This support has been based on the fact that a sizeable proportion of Scotland’s energy requirements can be sourced from the tides but also on the recognition that Scotland, and the UK more widely, can capitalise on the significant global opportunity by supplying skills, goods and services to tidal energy projects in other parts of the world.”
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