Scottish seas earmarked for major tidal project

Several stretches of sea were up for grabs in a recent round of leasing by the Crown Estate but the preferred bidder for the Inner Sound – an area between the mainland town of Caithness and the island of Stoma – pulled out at the last minute.

Since this is one of the most energetic tidal areas on the Scottish coast, the Crown Estate expects a lot of interest in the lease and has put it out to re-tender.

It is looking for a company that wants to set up a single commercial project that will generate at least 200MW and can have it installed and operating by 2020.

Rob Hastings, director of the Marine Estate at The Crown Estate said: “After the successful launch of 10 wave and tidal projects in the Pentland Firth and Orkney waters, with a potential capacity of 1,200 MW, we are delighted to make the Inner Sound available for further commercial bids.

“A tidal project in the Inner Sound could significantly increase the local generation of marine renewable energy and further advance the wave and tidal energy industry.”

The Crown Estate owns the UK seabed out to the 12-nautical mile territorial limit and over 55% of the foreshore.

It is responsible for safeguarding the country’s heritage while ensuring that it generates revenue for the UK through appropriate management of its assets.

David Gibbs