Power harvest from the ocean
 | | A tidal stream turbine of the type which would be installed in the sea off Lynmouth. |
THE North Devon coast could be one of the first places in the world to harvest electrical power from the undersea currents.
Marine Current Turbines Ltd of Bristol has operated an experimental undersea turbine off Lynmouth for the past two-and-a-half years.
Its success has now sparked plans for what could be the country's first tidal power farm.
There are hopes that 10 undersea turbines generating enough electricity for 5,000 homes could be sited there within the next two years.
Managing director Martin Wright told the Gazette: "We have been very pleased with the trials. We have learned a huge amount and the next generation machines will benefit greatly from that now in place at Lynmouth.
"We have a long way to go. We are making the first tentative moves and would like to see 10 devices each producing one megawatt of power. But I don't think we would be anywhere near ready until 2007.
"We have to go to all the environmental agencies and also consult with residents and local people. We are being careful because we know there has been a lot of opposition to wind farms.
"Unless we have got it wrong, we think the people of Lynton and Lynmouth and the district council will be pretty well disposed to us putting a farm there, but we are taking nothing for granted.
"Once we get the next prototype the turbine at Lynmouth will come out of the water and we will be looking at the plans from there. But that will be subject to getting the necessary consents."
n Meanwhile, North Devon is still wrestling with plans for 22 land-based wind turbines at Fullabrook Down near Ilfracombe.
North Devon District Council is meeting at Barnstaple Guildhall tomorrow (Thursday) to formulate its official view on the proposal for submission to the Secretary of State for Energy, whose department will make the final decision.
Devon County Council has already expressed its opposition to the plan and North Devon councillors are also being recommend to indicate refusal.
The North Devon Green Party this week suggested that if the wind power plans go ahead the company behind them should fund solar panels and other domestic renewable energy schemes for local residents.
"As well as paying substantial business rates, wind farm developers often create a Local Community Fund to share the profits with those living nearby," said the Greens.
The most appropriate use for a Fullabrook community fund would be to provide 90 per cent grants towards domestic renewable energy projects for residents, said spokesman Peter Christie.
|
|
|
|
|
|