A tidal power project in the Pentland Firth has started generating electricity for the first time, it has been announced.

The first turbine on Atlantis Resources' MeyGen scheme was successfully installed by James Fisher Marine Services last week.

It forms the first of four 1.5MW tidal stream turbines to become operational at the site for the first 6MW phase, with plans to expand the scheme to supply 400MW of electricity.

Construction on the next 6MW phase, which benefits from a €17 million grant, is scheduled to begin next year.

Atlantis CEO Tim Cornelius said: "This is the moment we have been working towards since we first identified the MeyGen site back in 2007, and I am immensely proud of and grateful for the remarkable team of people who have contributed to this milestone - our suppliers, our funders, our supportive shareholders, and of course the project team, whose commitment, tenacity and belief have been without equal.

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"I look forward to bringing more news of the project development over the coming weeks and months as we move into the full operational phase."

WWF Scotland director Lang Banks said the news is a sign that Scotland is starting to make progress in harnessing tidal energy.

"News of the first electricity to come from what will hopefully become one of the world's largest tidal power schemes is a really exciting moment," he said.

"Along with action to improve energy efficiency, marine renewables have the potential to play a role in powering our homes and businesses in the future. If we are to secure such a future it's important that the Scottish Government’s forthcoming energy strategy sets an ambition to secure at least half of all our energy needs from renewables by 2030. Doing so would ensure Scotland maximises the benefits from a transition to a zero-carbon economy."

(LM)