UK: first tidal-power turbine comes on stream for National Grid

Scotland’s drive to develop new sources of renewable energy took a leap forward yesterday as the first tidal-power-driven electricity was connected to the National Grid.

The milestone was achieved by OpenHydro, an Irish-based renewable-energy company, whose tidal turbine device was installed at the European Marine Energy Centre’s (Emec) test site off the island of Eday in Orkney two years ago.
The single 250kW turbine can
generate enough electricity to power only 100 homes, but it is expected to pave the way for a huge tidal-power development next year in the Channel Islands.

Jim Mather, Scotland’s energy minister, hailed the breakthrough, saying: “This is the first time in Scotland that homes will be powered using the energy of the tides – a massive step forward for Scottish research and technology.

Scotsman