What is Tidal Energy?

Tidal power is a means of electricity generation and works by capturing the energy contained in moving waters due to the tides. There are two types of tidal energy: the kinetic energy of currents arising between ebbing and surging tides, and the potential energy from the difference in height between high and low tides. Tidal power technologies include tidal stream turbines (similar to wind turbines, but with the blades underwater), and tidal barrages, which are similar to hydro power dams.

Thanks to its geography and coastline, many parts of the Highlands and Islands are ideally suited to exploit this alternative and predictable energy store. Foremost on the tidal energy map are the waters of the Pentland Firth and those around Orkney, Shetland and the west coast.

The Pentland Firth Tidal Energy Project is a partnership between HIE, Scottish Government, Crown Estate, Highland Council, Nuclear Decommissioning Authority.  Orkney Islands Council has also been invited to join the board.

The project is looking into how best to take advantage of the opportunities that are afforded by the Pentland Firth to both Orkney, Caithness and north west Sutherland. 

The project vision is to support the development of a globally important marine energy industry in the Pentland Firth area to the significant benefit of the local and national economies in a sustainable and environmentally aware way.

back to top >>