A new Scottish turbine tidal park could create 32 jobs, after it was given planning consent.
The West Islay Tidal Energy Park will have a generating capacity of up to 30 MW – enough to power 18,000 homes.
Scottish Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse said: “Marine renewable technologies offer huge potential to the Scottish economy – and to rural communities throughout the world.
“Scotland has a third of UK’s tidal stream resources and two thirds of its wave resources. We are also home to the world’s leading wave and tidal test centre; the world’s largest planned tidal stream array and the world’s largest tidal turbine.
“The West Islay Tidal Energy Park builds upon this strong foundation. Its 30 turbine array will generate up 30 MW, enough to power almost 18,000 homes, helping us to generate more clean, green electricity in Scotland and to meet our climate change obligations.”
The development, which is being led by DP Marine Limited will be located about six kilometres off the south-west coast of Islay.
News of the development was welcomed by environmental campaigners.
WWF Scotland’s acting head of policy Gina Hanrahan said: “Scotland’s growing tidal industry is hitting new milestones. With a third of Europe’s tidal potential, Scotland’s powerful seas have a significant contribution to make in the fight against climate change.
“The renewable energy transition is happening globally at a pace many thought impossible only a few years ago. If Scotland is to continue to reap the benefits of innovation, slashing emissions, powering communities and creating local jobs, the Scottish Government’s final Energy Strategy must ensure there are policies in place to replicate the progress we’ve made on renewable electricity in the heat and transport sectors.”
Scottish Renewables senior policy manager Lindsay Roberts said: “Scotland is home to some of the most powerful tidal streams in Europe and already leads the world in the development of the cutting-edge devices which will allow us to harness their power.
“This announcement shows the continued ambition of this young sector as well as underlining the local employment and economic benefits which renewable energy can bring to some of our country’s most remote areas.”
It will be one of the first commercial scale tidal energy projects in the world.
Recommended for you
