Scotland Planning to Lead World With First Tidal Energy Turbine Farms

The Scotsman reports ScottishPower Renewables is planning to apply for planning permission to develop three tidal energy projects, the world’s first, off the coast of Scotland.

The projects, the first two with 20 turbines each, would be constructed for installation in Pentland Firth, the Sound of Islay and off the North Antrim Coast. The turbines are expected to be 30 meters (approximately 100 feet) in height, with 20-meter blades working at least 10 meters below the water surface.

Sidestepping a major concern common to wind turbines — harm to birds — ScottishPower says, based on tests conducted in Norway, the tidal turbines turn slowly enough to avoid harmful incidents with sea life.

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The Scotsman says:

“Scotland, which aims to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 80 per cent by 2050, has the best tidal resources in Europe and it has been calculated that at least a third of Scotland’s energy demand could be met by tidal renewables.”

The Scotsman quoted ScottishPower Renewables director Keith Anderson:

“The rapid technological advance of tidal power has been startling and is now allowing us to progress plans for substantial projects delivering major environmental and economic benefits,” he said. “Tidal power is completely renewable, being driven by the gravity of the sun and moon, with no carbon dioxide emissions, plus the added benefit of being entirely predictable.”

The plan would have the first two tidal turbine energy farms in production in 2011. It is anticipated that when all three farms are in operation, they will generate 60 megawatts to power 40,000 homes in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Source: The Scotsman online

Image: TidalStream Tidal Partners, under GNU Free Documentation License via Wikimedia Commons

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