The Western Isles Council is backing plans for a huge 40MW wavefarm to create green electricity out of the rolling Atlantic waves off the Hebrides.
Construction could start next summer and continue to 2017 when up to 50 wave machines would be installed off the coast at Fivepenny, Borve, on the west side of Lewis. Each device is a wave-powered pump which pushes high-pressure water to drive an onshore hydro-electric turbine. Marine energy developer Aquamarine Power is seeking planning permission from Marine Scotland for the development.
Western Isles Council planners are urging the Scottish Government not to hold a public inquiry into the scheme.
However, the area is important for the threatened red-throated divers, and Scottish National Heritage has lodged a holding objection until a second year of survey data is complete.
The Western Isles Fishermen’s Association (WIFA) warns that the wavefarm could reduce earningsfor island fishermen by shutting them out of the best lobster grounds on the west of Lewis.
Fishermen also seek safe navigation channels through the wavefarm to prevent small boats from being forced to steam long distances around the scheme to open water. Aquamarine Power says the development promises a great economic boost for the islands as it intends to hire local workers and businesses. It says the project would provide enough energy to power 38,000 homes.
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