A new wave power station on the Isle of Lewis, one of the first in the world, moves a step closer today (23 April 08) as npower renewables submits a planning application for the ground-breaking scheme.

The SiadarWave Energy Project (SWEP) is a collaboration between npower renewables, and Inverness based  technology company Wavegen. The SWEP would be the first project to operate under the Scottish Government's Marine Supply Obligation (MSO), put in place to promote the development of first generation marine energy power stations.

The scheme would harness power from the Atlantic waves in Siadar Bay to generate up to 4 megawatts of electricity. The energy produced each year could supply the average annual electricity needs of around 1,500 homes on Lewis and Harris.

If plans are given the go ahead by the Scottish Government, building work could start as early as 2009. The project could generate up to 50 construction jobs and would take around 18 months to complete.

Bill Langley, Marine Development Manager for npower renewables said: “We believe this is a new chapter in the UK’s search for a sustainable future. We remain convinced that the SWEP could be the gateway to harnessing the best wave resource in the UK. This pilot scheme could be the stepping stone to realising large-scale wave energy projects around the UK and worldwide. “

“The Scottish Government provides a number of mechanisms, including the MSO, to promote the development of marine renewables projects, and that encouragement has been critical to bringing this project forward. We look forward to delivering the SWEP and making a significant contribution to the Scottish Government’s ambition for Scotland to be a world leader in marine renewables.”

Matthew Seed, the Chief Executive Officer of Wavegen said: "Wavegen is delighted to be working with npower renewables at Siadar and we look forward to demonstrating the commercial viability of wave energy. This project builds on the reliable technology proven at the Limpet plant on Islay, grid connected since 2000, and to be installed in Ente Vasco de la Energía’s Mutriku project, in the Basque Country, Spain. Wavegen has identified further UK locations for this type of plant, and we will be working with npower renewables to start making wave energy a real contributor to government renewable energy targets."

The scheme involves building a new breakwater, similar in appearance to those frequently used around the UK’s coastline, the big difference being that the Siadar breakwater would house the Wavegen turbines. As well as providing green, renewable electricity, the SWEP could also provide shelter and facilitate the development of a fair weather harbour facility for small commercial and leisure craft, which is one of the aims of the Siadar Pier Group.