Environment
World’s largest tidal farm highlights green ambition
They will be invisible from the surface, but lying on the seabed between two Scottish islands will produce enough electricity for more than 5000 homes … The Scottish Government yesterday approved the world’s largest tidal farm, 10 windmill-like structures that will sit between Islay and Jura.
The three metres of water that can rush through the Sound of Islay every second, will turn the blades to generate electricity, 23 hours a day, every day.
Using the tide’s daily ebbs and flows, ScottishPower Renewables’s £40 million project will generate enough energy for more than double the number of homes on Islay. The power will be fed into the National Grid, however, ministers insist there will be local benefits, including to the islands’ distilleries.
The company hopes to begin installing the turbines in 2013. The first is being built at the Arnish yard on Lewis and will be tested later this year in Orkney
Although this project is likely to be overtaken eventually by larger-scale developments around Orkney and the Pentland Firth, the Sound of Islay is seen as a trailblazer for the green energy industry. It is hoped it will develop emerging tidal energy technology, provide economic and community benefits to Islay and Jura and cement Scotland’s position as a global leader in marine energy.
Keith Anderson, chief executive of ScottishPower Renewables, said: “Tidal power has long been considered as one of Scotland’s most valuable renewable energy resources and we have discussed its potential for many …