Scotland Soon to Have World’s First Community-Owned Tidal Turbine

A couple of days ago, Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond made it public news that people living in North Yell, a remote community in Shetland, are soon to benefit from having their own tidal turbine, which is to meet the energy demands of a local ice plant and industrial estate.

Official sources inform us that the deployment of this community-owned tidal turbine comes as a result of collaboration between companies Steel Engineering and Nova Innovation, and that this new green-oriented facility will be up and running as early as the beginning of next year.

Apparently, work on this project began about three years ago, and both Community Energy Scotland and Shetland Islands Council offered their full support to its implementation.

The official website for the Scottish government quotes First Minister Alex Salmond, who supposedly made a case of how, “Scotland is leading the way in the development of marine renewables, and today’s announcement that the world’s first community-owned turbine is to be manufactured and deployed on these shores is a truly fantastic endorsement of our burgeoning renewables sector.”

He further elaborated on this matter as follows: “The turbine being developed by Nova Innovation – based in Leith – and manufactured by Steel Engineering – based in Renfrew - will be used to power businesses in a Shetland community, showing the very tangible benefits that marine renewable power can bring to Scotland’s businesses and people in the years to come.”

The same source explains how, as a result of the deployment of this tidal turbine, North Yell's economy will experience a much needed and quite long expected boost, as local jobs will be supported and incomes will increase.

Both Steel Engineering and Nova Innovation seem more than delighted for the opportunity of working together on this project, as this allows them to step forward as major renewable manufacturers and make the most out of one of Scotland's most important green-oriented energy source.