Underwater turbine tests completed

An underwater turbine destined to form part of a major green energy project is already using tidal power to produce electricity for homes on a remote Scottish island.

An underwater turbine, seen here being hoisted into the water, has completed successful trials in the sea off Orkney. An underwater turbine destined to form part of a major green energy project is already using tidal power to produce electricity for homes on a remote Scottish island.

The 100ft-long device, which can provide enough energy to meet the electricity needs of 500 homes for a year, has completed its initial testing period. Bosses at ScottishPower Renewables said the results gave them "great confidence" in the turbine which will be installed in the world's first tidal turbine array in the waters off Islay in the west of Scotland.

The one-megawatt turbine was installed in the sea off Orkney last December in some of the worst weather experienced for more than decade. It is already providing power for homes and businesses on Eday, one of Orkney's northern isles.

ScottishPower Renewables plans to use the device in a 10-megawatt tidal array in the Sound of Islay. The firm received planning permission from the Scottish Government for it last year and it is hoped work can start next year and be completed by 2015.

Keith Anderson, chief executive of ScottishPower Renewables, said: "The concept of generating electricity from the natural movement of the tide is still relatively new - and test projects like this are vital to help us understand how we can fully realise the potential of this substantial energy source."

The HS1000 tidal turbine has been developed by Andritz Hydro Hammerfest which is based in both Norway and Glasgow. Managing director Stein Atle Andersen said the device is "an important step in our staged strategy for developing reliable and cost-efficient tidal energy converting devices and power plants". Tests had "given comfort, concerning the device's capacity", he said.

WWF Scotland director Richard Dixon said: "It's great news that this underwater turbine has not only successfully completed its initial testing phase but also been able to provide electricity for homes and businesses on the island." He added: "Marine energy offers a fantastic opportunity for Scotland. With careful planning, we can harness wave and tidal energy to help cut our climate emissions while safeguarding the nation's tremendous marine environment."