United Kingdom Boasts World First for Tidal Turbine

Marine Current Turbine has developed and is installing first commercial tidal-stream application

April 3, 2008

The Renewable Energy Association (REA), London, recently celebrated the beginning of the installation of SeaGen, a tidal-powered turbine that generates electricity from tidal currents. The installation will be the first commercial tidal-stream application anywhere in the world.

Marine Current Turbine, Bristol, U.K., developed SeaGen and is installing the device in Strangford Lough, off the coast of Northern Ireland. The turbine harnesses power from the tidal stream. The underwater movement of the tidal flow turns the turbine like an underwater windmill, thus producing a clean and secure energy source which will provide enough electricity to power around 1000 homes.