AN Irish renewables firm was celebrating yesterday after winning approval for a major new tidal park off the coast of Islay.
Energy minister Paul Wheelhouse yesterday gave the go-ahead for a 30-turbine facility three miles from the shores of the Argyll and Bute.
The 30-megawatt facility will be capable of powering around 18,000 homes.
The decision was good news for Ireland’s DP Marine Energy. The County Cork company already operates four wind farms in Dumfries and Galloway and South Ayrshire and agreed a lease with the Crown Estate three years ago for an area measuring around six square miles.
Planning began in 2009 and the site is expected to have a generating capacity of 400MW if developed further.
Gina Hanrahan, acting head of policy at WWF Scotland, 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.”
More than 30 jobs are expected to be created through the project and Wheelhouse said: “Marine renewable technologies offer huge potential to the Scottish economy and to rural communities throughout the world.
“Scotland has a third of the 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 30MW, enough to power almost 18,000 homes, helping us to generate more clean, green electricity in Scotland and to meet our climate change obligations.”
Lindsay Roberts of industry body Scottish Renewables 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.”
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