Isle of Wight tidal power scheme approved by MMO

Isle of Wight Radio reports, 20th April 2016: A tidal power site off the Isle of Wight has been given the green light. Perpetuus has been given the go-ahead from the Marine Management Organisation to place turbines off the south coast of the Island.

The turbines, which will sit on the sea bed 2km from St Catherines Point, are expected to generate enough power for 25 per cent of Island homes, fed from the turbines to a sub-station at Ventnor.

Chairman of the Perpetuus Tidal Energy Centre, Rob Stevens, said it was an exciting time for the Island. “I’m pretty confident that it’s going to be exciting for the Isle of Wight because it’s going to bring not only jobs, but investment.”

“Another very exciting aspect of this is that we are at the forefront of the technologies of putting a commercial tidal energy power station into the water. That means that the Isle of Wight and the Solent area will be right at the forefront of those developments as well — and that will bring attraction from all over the world.”

It is estimated that work on the project will begin in six to 12 months time, with the aim of producing power within three years.

The firm claims that during that phase up to 200 jobs could be created — with approximately half on the Island.

Mr Stevens continued: “The visual impact is at the forefront of people’s minds, with the recent worries about the wind turbines which are around 150 metres tall. The highest ours are going to be are nine metres and less than that we hope. I try to reconcile it in my head by saying it will be like looking at buoys and boats within the Solent and it’s going to be 2.5km off, so I think the visual impact will be small.”

The Isle of Wight Council has welcomed the decision. Leader of the Council, Jonathan Bacon said: “I am pleased that as part of the consenting process, environmental considerations such as visual appearance, commercial fishing and sailing have been taken into account by the Marine Management Organisation following significant consultation with key stakeholders and statutory consultees, including Natural England and the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Partnership.

Source: Isle of Wight Radio, 20th April 2016. For the full details, see http://iwradio.co.uk/news/green-light-for-isle-of-wight-tidal-power-site


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