Pentland Firth turbines set world record for production
Atlantis Resources plan for dozens of turbines to be eventually installed in the Inner Sound
Two tidal turbines in the Pentland Firth have set a world record for monthly production from a tidal stream power station.
The MeyGen scheme, in the Inner Sound of the firth off the Caithness coast, produced 700 Mwh (mega watts) of electricity.
Hannah Smith, Policy Manager at Scottish Renewables, said: “The tides that flow through the Pentland Firth are some of the most powerful anywhere on earth and harnessing them has meant using machines and skills which have never before been tested on a commercial scale.
“This latest record is just one in a long line for the MeyGen project, which is leading the world in tidal energy deployment. If the determination and ingenuity shown to date are anything to go by, it won’t be the last.”
Atlantis - the company behind the development - believes 700 Mwh is enough power for 2,000 homes, although hopes to expand the project to have dozens of turbines.
The initial phase of the renewable energy project will involve three turbines.
Atlantis said there had been "minor delays" in receiving upgraded components for the third turbine, but hoped the device would be reinstalled at the site next month