The world’s biggest tidal array is to be built in North Scotland bringing jobs and energy security to the Pentland Firth region. The Meygen scheme will provide electricity for 175,000 homes and up to 100 jobs when operational. The UK Government has provided £10 million worth of grant funding to the project. Other funders include the Scottish Government and The Crown Estate. The £51m scheme could inspire further projects in the Pentland Firth - helping to provide clean, sustainable and secure energy and jobs for the local community for decades to come.

Energy Secretary Ed Davey said:
“This innovative and exciting project puts Scotland and the UK on the map as a global leader in marine technology – meaning jobs, better energy security and the potential to export this technology to the world. The project also shows what can be done when the UK and Scottish Governments work together to provide a lasting benefit for the people of Scotland. Meygen will be the biggest tidal stream array in the world, providing enough electricity for 175,000 homes and 100 ‘green jobs’ when completed.

“Wave and tidal power have the potential to provide more than 20% of the UK’s electricity needs, and Meygen could pave the way for future projects in the Pentland Firth.”

The money comes from the Marine Energy Array Demonstrator (MEAD) scheme, part of £185 million the UK Government is investing in low-carbon technologies.

The UK has around 50% of Europe's tidal energy resource. Thanks to the UK’s geography, wave and tidal stream energy could meet 20% of the UK’s electricity demand. Renewable energy is expected to play a major role in replacing aging coal and gas fired power plants which are due to be brought off-line by 2020.

The Government has introduced a number of reforms to the UK electricity market to attract this investment, necessary to keep the lights on and emissions down, whilst saving consumers money on their energy bills. £100 billion of investment is expected to create a total of 250,000 jobs in the low-carbon electricity sector by 2020.

Blogger David Toke is sceptical, however, asking why tidal stream projects don't attract the same loan guarantees as nuclear power. he writes "Is the UK Government right to gain plaudits for the announcement of construction of a 6 MW tidal stream project in Pentland Firth? After all, they have come up with a £10 million grant. But, when you compare this with the deal offered to EDF for Hinkley C, there is a credibility gap. There is talk of extending the tidal stream project from 6 MW to '398 MW', but there is very little chance of this happening unless the project gets conditions similar to that given to Hinkley C nuclear power station. First a much longer contract is required. The tidal stream project has to make do with a 15 year contract during which time it will receive its premium prices. EDF gets 35 years. Second, EDF gets £10 billion worth of loan guarantees. That's not a grant of course, but it stands a very good chance of turning into one given the history of nuclear power construction cost overruns! Tidal stream developers really need loan guarantees to turn their plans into reality."