National Grid turns tidal

Posted on July 21^st 2008

The first commercial underwater turbine was plugged into the national grid contributing to the UK’s electricity.

Around the UK the tide is estimated to be able to produce anything between 5 and 15 gigawatts of power, but in the past the sheer force of storm conditions has hindered exploring tidal energy in the past.

But now Bristol based company Marine Current Turbines say they have a viable solution with SeaGen, a 1.2MW turbine placed in Strangford Lough.

The turbine at present is not working to full capacity, only working at 150kW, but the target by the end of the summer is working fully at 300kW.

If the turbine is successful the company has plans for other locations to have the turbines installed. The next location will be the coast of Anglesey.

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