Scottish Power tests tidal power technology - 18/05/2012
Energy supplier Scottish Power has advanced its plans to harness tidal power with the trialling of a new underwater turbine.
The firm has successfully completed the installation of a 1MW generator that is now providing electricity to homes and businesses on Orkney.
It aims to demonstrate the viability of the technology in Scotland's fast-flowing tides and could help the nation become a world leader in the areas.
Chief executive of Scottish Power Renewables Keith Anderson explained projects such as this are vital in understanding the relatively new technology.
"The potential is there in our waters to make a significant contribution towards our overall energy needs and our carbon reduction targets," he said.
Mr Anderson added the performance of the device has given the company great confidence that larger-scale developments will be able to be rolled out in waters around Scotland in the coming years.
Recently, it was noted by the Scottish government the nation has a large amount of potential for renewable electricity generation and is well on track to generating the equivalent of 100 per cent of its power needs from such sources by 2020.
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