Plan for giant tidal energy farm

The world's largest tidal-powered energy farm could be built in British waters. Three sites are under investigation – two off Scotland and one off Northern Ireland – for up to 60 underwater turbines, generating 60 megawatts of power for 40,000 homes.

ScottishPower, the energy firm behind the plans, said the technology could make Scotland the global leader in the field. The announcement came as the Crown Office opened parts of the seabed for leasing to developers.

The tide-turbines are expected to be weighed to the floor of the sea in the Pentland Firth between the Scottish mainland and Orkney, in the Sound of Islay and off the coast of Co Antrim, Northern Ireland.

The structures stand 30 metres tall on three legs and can work as deep as 100 metres below sea level with the ability to turn to harness tide movements.

The 20-metre blades would turn at least 10 metres below the surface to avoid shipping. The zones would be banned to trawlers for safety reasons.

ScottishPower said tests in Norway proved the turbine blades moved slowly enough for marine life to avoid them. Scotland's First Minister, Alex Salmond, said Scottish seas could provide 25 per cent of Europe's tidal power and 10 per cent of wave power.

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