The Scottish Executive has given the go ahead to world's biggest wave power farm which will be built off the coast of Orkney in a project set to cost £10m.
Initial plans are for four connected wave energy converters with a combined output of three megawatts, enough to power about 3,000 homes.
Scottish Executive Deputy First Minister Nicol Stephen said: "Today marks a vital milestone in Scotland's drive to be a world leader in the development of marine renewables."
The Pelamis machine, named after a type of sea snake, is a 520ft tube consisting of a buoyancy section and a power conversion module.
Each tube produces 750kW of power and uses wave motion to push hydraulic rams into a central generating unit.
This action pressurises oil in a reservoir which in turn powers the generator. The power is then sent back to shore via a single cable and fed into the National Grid.
Keith Anderson, director of renewables at Scottish Power, said: "The reason people get so excited about the potential of marine [power] is that it is a very predictable and very constant source of energy production."
Wave energy is still in the development stage and needs to be subsidised. But, as with any new technology, the costs will decrease as it becomes more efficient and widespread.
The device is said to be at the forefront of a new generation of wave-power machines that could slash renewables costs 06 May 2009
Innovative Oyster wave energy generator on track for first full deployment this summer 30 Apr 2009
But company behind high-profile "wave snakes" insists it will be afloat again as soon as new backers are found 20 Mar 2009
"Sheik" Salmond to offer £10m to first team to deliver commercially viable marine energy 03 Dec 2008Wave turbine hopes to provide prototype for 4MW project 07 Aug 2008
Ecotricity confirms it is taking legal action against the firm for using its image of a green Union flag 10 Jul 2009
Logistics giant claims more efficient planes and use of biofuels will cut emissions by a further 20 per cent cut by 2020 09 Jul 2009
More news
Bill Beaver takes the microscope to the backroom deals that will shape the future of the US climate change bill 09 Jul 2009
Whenever a big story breaks about the dire straights in which the natural world finds itself, it always sparks something of a... 07 Jul 2009
Carbon market activity ticks upwards, as China and India blast "green protectionism" 07 Jul 2009 More in-depth
Post your comment
Send an email to the Business Green editor at feedback@businessgreen.com
