Power from the sea

Shetland has long been busy exploring the use of underwater turbines to generate electricity, and a recent item in the useful website called EU Fish news reveals that the NAFC Marine Centre has produced a range of maps to show the best places to put wave and tidal turbines.

The maps are designed as a ‘decision support tool’ to give people greater knowledge when developing any kind of new plan for uses of the sea. It’s available to view at the UHI Marine website.

NAFC is part of the University of the Highlands and Islands.

Marine Centre’s Dr Lorraine Gray commented: “Our goal is to integrate local environmental, social and economic considerations into the site selection process for marine renewable energy and these new maps will allow users of the sea to make future decisions on – making sure the right developments happen in the right places.”

“This current assessment has created buffers on features, such as important fishing grounds or areas for recreational use which has been informed by local experts.”

“Marine renewable energy development has the potential to create significant community and environmental benefits, as well as contributing to Shetland’s wider – and sustainable- economic development.”

“While the maps should only be used as an information tool, we are confident that the new guidance will be extremely valuable to developers during pre-application consultation and will, in turn, help promote the potential for this emerging industry.”