Mar 23 2007
Lunar Energy and E.ON UK, the company that runs Powergen, have today announced they are to develop a tidal stream power project of up to 8 MWs in the sea off the west coast of the UK utilising the innovative Rotech Tidal Turbine units.
The project would be the first commercial scale tidal stream energy plant of its kind anywhere in the World, capable of producing enough power for up to 5,000 homes.
The proposed scheme will use tidal streams, which are fast-moving currents created by rising and falling tides, to turn an array of large turbines situated on the sea floor.
Lunar Energy's Chairman, William Law commented:
“Today is a significant milestone in our programme to establish a UK-led sustainable worldwide tidal stream energy industry, which will offer predictable and sustainable energy in an environmentally friendly manner. In the last 6 years Lunar Energy and our technology partner Rotech Engineering, have made pivotal and significant advances in marine turbine technology and we are delighted that E.ON have recognised this by choosing our RTT for this first commercial field. This cutting edge technology has worldwide implications for the global provision of renewable energy and comes with a base power source that is both predictable and free.”
Simon Meade, Lunar Energy's CEO commented:
“The Lunar Energy RTT technology is invisible and environmentally friendly and to be selected as the technology of choice for the first commercial scale tidal stream development in the UK is a testament to the innovation and adaptability of this technology developed for us by Rotech Engineering Limited.”
Dr Paul Golby, Chief Executive of E.ON UK, said:
“As we look to battle global warming we have to take advantage of a range of new technologies to reduce carbon emissions.
This pioneering scheme shows that we at E.ON are looking to change the way that we approach energy in the UK .”