A specialised offshore construction vessel has taken up position off the Orkney island of Eday to begin the process of installing the UK’s first grid-connected tidal turbine.

The jack-up barge is standing in 15 metres of fast flowing water and will serve as a stable platform for the team tackling this unique engineering challenge.

Developed over the past 10 years by Dublin-based OpenHydro, the turbine will generate electricity for the National Grid while undergoing a comprehensive test programme at EMEC’s (European Marine Energy Centre) new Eday-based marine laboratory.

The 30-metre barge is carrying a 110-tonne crane, which will be used to install the seabed mounted structure that will support the turbine.

Called Octopus, the vessel was towed from Kirkwall to the Fall of Warness using the Orkney Towage Company tug Harald. A support vessel taking part in the project, the Ailsa, was also involved in the operation.

Once in position at the test site, four legs at each corner were lowered to the seabed, lifting the barge out of the water to form the stable platform the team need for the installation process.

Neil Kermode, EMEC’s managing director, said: “We are delighted that OpenHydro have successfully undertaken this first crucial step in what will be a very challenging project.

“This will be the first tidal turbine to be installed at our new test site off Eday and we look forward to seeing the work progressing.”

The turbine is being shipped to Orkney from OpenHydro’s manufacturing base in Florida.

James Ives, Open Hydro’s chief executive, said: “With the barge in position, we can start the process of installing the first tidal turbine to generate electricity for the UK National Grid.

“We received tremendous support from Orkney Harbours Department and Orkney Towage and we would like to thank them for their skill and professionalism.”