Orkney Council has said its newly extended pier is now host to more tidal energy technologies than any other site in the world.

Within recent weeks, five tidal energy developers have used the facilities, with four devices currently established on the quayside.

The organisations using the site are OpenHydro, Alstom Hydro, Scotrenewables Tidal Power, ANDRITZ Hydro Hammerfest and Voith Hydro.

At 385m (around a quarter of a mile), Hatston Pier is Scotland's longest commercial deep-water berth. The 160-metre extension to the existing 225-metre pier was constructed to provide a major support and logistics base for the marine renewable energy industry and was officially opened earlier this year.

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The £8m project by Orkney Islands Council (OIC) to extend the Hatston Pier on the outskirts of Kirkwall attracted £3.2m in support from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Council Vice-Convener Jim Foubister said: "It is great to see such a high level of activity so soon after the completion of the pier extension.

"Our primary aim in extending the pier was to support the marine renewable energy sector, so we are delighted to see so many tidal developers making good use of the new facilities.

"Without the extension, it would have been impossible for so many companies to have sufficient space to work alongside each other as they prepare their turbines for sea.

"The extension also gives us far more flexibility in the way we use the pier – as can be seen by the range of business we're attracting. As well as the tidal developers, a range of ships including a cruise liner, an offshore supply vessel, tugs, barges and the Aberdeen-Orkney-Shetland ferry have all used the pier in recent days."

(JP/MH)