Plans have been approved for a new 30-turbine tidal park to be developed near the Inner Hebrides of Scotland.

The West Islay Tidal Energy Park will be built by DP Marine Energy 6km off the south-west coast of Islay.

It will have a generating capacity of up to 30MW and will produce enough electricity to power 18,000 homes. In addition, up to 32 full-time jobs will be created.

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Scottish Government Minister for Business, Innovation and Energy Paul Wheelhouse said: "Marine renewable technologies offer huge potential to the Scottish economy – and to rural communities throughout the world.

"Scotland has a third of UK's tidal stream resources and two thirds of its wave resources. We are also home to the world's leading wave and tidal test centre, the world's largest planned tidal stream array and the world's largest tidal turbine.

"The West Islay Tidal Energy Park builds upon this strong foundation. Its 30 turbine array will generate up 30 MW, enough to power almost 18,000 homes, helping us to generate more clean, green electricity in Scotland and to meet our climate change obligations."

(LM/MH)