The Arnish yard in Stornoway has clinched a high profile contract to build one of the world's most advanced tidal energy turbines.
An official announcement on the order, expected later today, will reveal that BiFab,
the new operators of the Lewis plant, has won the tender to construct a new-
Work on the turbine could start within weeks bringing an employment boost to the Stornoway plant. The manufacturing yard at Arnish will build the turbine structure, foundation and legs. The order places the yard in prime position for the future bidding to construct ten additional turbines.
BIFab has scooped a raft of global competitors to secure the deal which is an added boost to Scotland’s renewable energy industry.
The Arnish marine machine is to test the strong tidal waters in the Sound of Islay to create electricity from the large range of tides in the sea channel. Scottish Power plans to establish an 10 megawatt scheme off Islay, using a series of 1MW machines, in 2013.
The development would be the largest of its kind in the UK and, at current levels, the biggest tidal scheme in the world.
An application seeking planning permission for the Islay tidal energy site has been lodged by the developers.
Arnish to build world’s most advanced turbine 17/8/10
