Tidal turbine contract

WORK should soon start on building the world’s first community-owned tidal generator to be deployed in Bluemull Sound in Shetland.

Scottish first minister Alex Salmond announced on Thursday a contract had been signed between Edinburgh-based fabricator Nova Innovation and the Steel Engineering factory in Renfrew during a visit to the town.

The turbine is being built for the North Yell Development Council, which has raised £168,000 for the project from Community Energy Scotland, Shetland Islands Council and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

Power from the turbine will be fed into the electricity grid, but used by RS Henderson’s ice making plant on the Cullivoe industrial estate.

Lerwick firm Shetland Composites has helped with the manufacture of the Nova-30 turbine.

Nova director Simon Forrest said the contract was an important milestone that would accelerate the growth of his business and “significantly advance marine energy in Scotland.”

He said: “We see significant potential for tidal arrays for other communities across Scotland and look forward to working with Steel Engineering on this and future marine renewable projects.”