A 100ft underwater turbine destined to form part of a major tidal energy project has been installed in the sea around Orkney.
The one-megawatt device, which can power the annual electricity needs of 500 homes, will now have a series of tests to check its performance and reliability.
The turbine will eventually be used in the world’s largest tidal stream energy development, in the Sound of Islay in the west of Scotland.
Those behind the project said the installation of the device signalled a “major step forward for the global marine renewable energy industry”.
The HS1000 tidal turbine has been developed by the company Hammerfest Strom and was installed at the European Marine Energy Centre in Orkney.
It is the same machine that will be used by ScottishPower Renewables as part of the world’s first tidal turbine array in Islay.
The £40million project, aimed at harnessing the power of the sea to generate enough electricity for more than 5,000 homes, got planning consent from the Scottish Government in March.
Officials hope the Orkney tests will help them to finalise the timetable for the Islay project, with machines being installed as early as possible between 2013 and 2015.
SPR chief executive Keith Anderson said: “Hammerfest engineers deserve huge credit for carrying out this difficult operation in very testing weather conditions. This is a major milestone for the tidal power industry across the world.”
WWF Scotland director Richard Dixon said: “There is a massive amount of power in our seas and Scotland is well placed to lead in developing the technologies to turn this potential into clean, green electricity.
“Given the huge renewable energy potential around our coast, and the strong skills in offshore engineering, marine energy offers a fantastic opportunity for Scotland.”
First Minister Alex Salmond said: “This year projects were switched on representing £750million of investment in renewables, and £46billion of investment is in the pipeline.
“We have seen momentous progress towards our goal of generating the equivalent of 100% of Scotland’s electricity needs from renewables.”
