Orkney tested device could provide jobs boost

A marine energy device tested in Orkney could provide a major jobs boost for the Western Isles it was claimed this week.

Aquamarine Power’s proposed wave farm on the Western Isles could create hundreds of long-term skilled jobs according to figures published earlier this week.

The Edinburgh firm’s 40MW Lewis wave farm – which was fully consented by the Scottish Government earlier this year – could generate between 98 and 200 jobs during construction and inject up to £9 million a year into the Western Isles and wider Highland economy.

The project would involve installing up to 50 of Aquamarine Power’s Oyster near-shore energy machines along the north-west coast of Lewis.

The company is currently testing their second full-scale prototype, the Oyster 800, at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) here in Orkney.