Scottish Power Renewables plans to develop a major tidal energy project in the Sound of Islay off the west coast of Scotland with an investment of £40m.
The Scottish Government is expected to give approval for ten tidal turbines that will supply 10MW of power for 5,000 homes, reports the BBC.
The Sound of Islay scheme will deploy Hammerfest Strom tidal turbines that have been operating as a generating prototype in Norwegian waters for more than six years.
Scottish Finance and Sustainable Growth Secretary John Swinney said that the development – the largest tidal array in the world – will generate huge revenues for the country utilising the tidal energy potential of Scotland’s seas.
Scottish Power Renewables applied for consent to construct and operate the demonstrator tidal array within the Sound of Islay in July 2010.
