Aquamarine Power has secured seabed leases to capture up to 40MW
of wave energy off the west coast of Lewis. This allows us to
start environmental and feasibility studies on the potential to
install our Oyster wave energy technology off the coast of
Lewis.
We have held a series of meetings with the local community,
stakeholders and officials to identify appropriate areas of search.
Following this, we have secured two leases: a 10MW demonstration
lease for a site between Siadar and Fivepenny, known as the Galson
site; and a 30MW lease which offers an area of search between Bàgh
Dhail Beag and Tràigh Shanndaigh.
Aquamarine Power will need to secure planning consents from
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and government regulator Marine Scotland
before any development can take place.
Working with local communities
We will take guidance and work closely with local communities
and stakeholders to identify the most appropriate 30MW site within
the search area. We will seek all permissions and consents before
applying for a formal lease with the Crown Estate.
Potential to power 38,000 homes
Our development has the potential to see up to 40
Oyster wave energy devices installed on an approximate
2km stretch of coast. Our proposed sites would have a total
installed capacity of 40MW and could provide enough energy to power
38,000 homes.
Official Saltire Prize applicant
We have officially registered our intent to use the North-west
Lewis site to compete for the Scottish Government's Saltire
Prize. The Saltire Prize is a £10 million global prize for
the wave or tidal technology which generates the greatest volume of
electrical output over 100GWh over a continuous two year period
using only the power of the sea.
Working in partnership
Aquamarine Power is the industry lead in the Hebridean Marine
Energy Futures programme. We are working on the project in
partnership with Lews Castle College, part of the University of
Highlands and Islands.
The Hebridean Marine Energy Futures project is a collaborative
research programme which will undertake a range of tasks from
seabed surveying and wave energy resource assessments to the
modelling of the interaction of different devices and their impact
on the electrical grid. The project aims to assist the Scottish
marine energy industry to move to commercial scale in the
Hebrides.
Milestones
- 40MW seabed leaseSecured two Lease Option Agreements from Crown Estate, May 2011
- Environmental monitoringMonitoring of wildlife began October 2010; ongoing
- Environmental Impact Assessment Scoping ReportSubmitted to Marine Scotland on 20 May 2011
- Environmental Impact Assessment Scoping OpinionReceived from Marine Scotland on 4 August 2011
The Comhairle has long maintained that the marine energy resource West of Hebrides is among the best in the world. Aquamarine Power’s commitment to this area validates that assessment and puts the area firmly on the renewables map. The Comhairle looks forward to the benefits that the company’s commitment will bring to the Outer Hebrides in terms of fabrication jobs, research activity and supply chain opportunities.
Angus Campbell
Leader of Comhairle nan Eilean SiarWe congratulate Aquamarine Power's success in securing seabed leases from the Crown Estate with a view to the development of wave energy projects of the west coast of Lewis. Harnessing the marine energy in this area will help to deliver the Scottish Government’s 2020 targets to reduce carbon emissions from renewables. There is also potential to create much needed employment in our islands both directly and through the supply chain. The Trust looks forward in anticipation to meaningful dialogue with Aquamarine Power as this proposed development moves forward. Importantly the local communities affected will need to be consulted on how the proposals impact them.
Lisa Maclean
Commercial Development Manager at community landowner, Urras Oighreachd Ghabhsainn (Galson Estate Trust)