2
View
comments
A 680-tonne tidal turbine billed as the most powerful in the world has started to generate electricity off the northeastern coast of Scotland.
The Orbital O2 is anchored near Orkney and has the capacity to meet the annual electricity demand of 2,000 homes for the next 15 years.
It took Orbital Marine Power about 15 years to develop and 18 months to build its first commercial turbine, which it has described as a 'major milestone'.
Scroll down for video
Clean energy: A 680-tonne tidal turbine (pictured) billed as the most powerful in the world has started to generate electricity off the northeastern coast of Scotland
Power: The Orbital O2 is anchored near Orkney and has the capacity to meet the annual electricity demand of 2,000 homes for the next 15 years
The 2MW turbine's superstructure, which floats on the surface of the water, was sailed out to its position in May and is connected to the local onshore electricity network via a subsea cable.
It is anchored in 35 metres of water and starts producing clean power when the tide comes in. When the tide stops, its blades then rotate and start generating electricity in the other direction.
Orbital chief executive Andrew Scott said: 'This is a major milestone for the O2 and I would like to commend the whole team at Orbital and our supply chain for delivering this pioneering
