The new testing facility for tidal energy at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney is being officially opened by First Minister Alex Salmond today, (Friday, September 28).

The centre is the first of its kind in the world set up to provide developers of wave and tidal energy devices with a purpose-built performance testing facility. Based in Stromness and Eday, Orkney, it has an international role to play in the advancement of tidal and wave energy technologies.

The centre offers developers the opportunity to test prototype devices in unrivalled wave and tidal conditions. Wave and tidal energy converters are connected to the National Grid via seabed cables running from open-water test berths. Testing takes place in a wide range of sea and weather conditions, with comprehensive round-the-clock monitoring.

In August 2004 EMEC opened its wave site and today (September 28) sees the official opening of the complementary tidal site, enabling EMEC to provide an all round service to the marine renewable energy sector.

First Minister Alex Salmond said: "We are a nation with an abundance of natural resources and massive renewable energy potential. By harnessing the power of the seas, Scotland can become a global leader in green energy. I am delighted that here in Orkney we are going to be at the forefront of that development, with a revolutionary centre enabling marine technologies to be tested, improved and taken to market.

"The reality is that climate change demands our attention and how we are going to tackle it is it is a question we need to address. This new testing facility recognises that need, and that we are in a fantastic position to start providing some of the answers. It is certain to put Orkney on the energy map."

The new tidal project is sited at the Fall of Warness, off the outlying island of Eday.  There are five test berths for tidal devices, each with a dedicated cable connecting back to the local grid, and a separate communications link to carry information on device performance back to EMEC's existing data centre in Stromness.

The first device to be tested at the site, belonging to Irish company OpenHydro, will be the first tidal turbine in the UK to be connected to the grid. Other developers are preparing to deploy prototype devices in 2008/09.

The £12.6 million EMEC project has been led by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) on behalf of a  public sector consortium consisting of The Scottish Government, Department for Business, Energy and Regulatory Reform, The Carbon Trust, Scottish Enterprise, Orkney Islands Council, with European support from the Highlands and Islands Partnership Programme.

Speaking on behalf of the funders, chief executive of HIE Sandy Cumming
said: "HIE, together with our partners, is delighted that EMEC is becoming established as a world leader in marine energy and that this phase will consolidate its internationally reputation.

"No other facilities of this kind exist anywhere in the world. Scotland is currently at the forefront of research and commercialisation of wave and tidal energy generation. We must take full advantage of the opportunity this offers and the benefits it can bring to the area and the country."

Orkney Islands Council convener Stephen Hagan said: "The Council has always been a key supporter of EMEC, and warmly welcomes the opening of this new stage in EMEC's development. Orkney's abundance of renewable resources, especially wave and tidal streams gives it an advantage in marine renewables. These resources support a growing cluster of public and private sector, and academic, activity in renewables in the islands. EMEC lies at the core of this cluster and the new tidal energy testing facility will reinforce this."