One of the world's largest wave stations will be constructed off the Isle of Lewis in the Western Isles, creating up to 70 jobs and advancing Scotland's lead in renewable energy, First Minister Alex Salmond announced today.

Ministers have granted consent for npower renewables application to operate a wave farm with a 4MW capacity at Siadar, Isle of Lewis, Western Isles. It is one of the first marine renewable energy projects to be approved in the UK and follows the recent launch of the £10m Saltire Prize.

First Minister Alex Salmond said: "Today's announcement is a significant step in Scotland's journey to become a world leader in renewables. The Siadar wave farm will be one of the largest consented wave electricity generating station in the world. It is the first commercial wave farm in Scotland and is starting with a capacity to power around 1,800 homes.

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"This is proof of Scotland's unique opportunities in renewables and evidence that we are already on the way to seizing every opportunity to maximise our natural resources and capability to generate clean, green energy."

The Scottish Government's six point economic recovery programme identifies the renewables sector as a key strength of the economy and one which continues to grow through the current downturn.

"I know that the community is fully supportive of npower's plans for Siadar, particularly as it will create the added benefit of improved boat access. And of course it comes less than two months after we unveiled the £10m Saltire Prize to develop marine energy which has already received 63 registrations of interest from 18 countries across five continents," he added.

(GK/JM)