World’s largest tidal turbine goes online

The most powerful clean energy tidal turbine in the world has started to generate electricity off the coast of Scotland

The Orbital O2 tidal turbine has the capacity to meet annual electricity demands of 2,000 homes for the next 15 years.

Creators Orbital Marine Power said its first commercial turbine, powered by the fast-flowing
tides, is “a major milestone”.

At just over 73 metres long — about the size of a Boeing 747 — the 680-tonne superstructure floats on the surface of the water, with rotating blades attached to its legs which slowly turn to generate power.

How does it work?

Electricity is transferred from the turbine via underwater cable, delivering clean, renewable
energy to the UK power grid.

Orbital CEO Andrew Scott praised his team for delivering the “pioneering renewable energy
project” safely and successfully. They say that the turbine is the most powerful in the world.

Until now, the company has largely relied on grants from the Scottish government, but soon plans to commercialise the technology, in a move it says will deliver jobs and growth to UK communities.

With the pandemic beginning to ease across the UK, Scott hopes to see increased investor support

“We need to support recovery from the pandemic and at the same time magnify efforts to
decarbonize,” Scott said.

“[We need to] help drive investors and funds to look at low carbon solutions and clean energy.”

The numbers reflect a burgeoning industry – the global market for wave and tidal energy,
estimated at $542.8 million in 2020, is projected to grow to $5.1 billion by 2027, a growth rate of 37.7% over the period 2020-2027.