Tidal energy

Much research has been carried out  into the potential of tidal energy around our islands over the last 15 years, mostly focusing on the Sound of Islay, which has been identified as having some of the highest tidal energy potential in Europe.

IET has been actively involved in many projects looking at this potential and continues to work with developers and end users to explore ways in which this resource might be used to provide renewable energy and benefit the community.

The potential

The Sound of Islay is the channel of water that separates the Isle of Islay from the Isle of Jura in the Inner Hebrides on the west coast of Scotland.


Research identified the Sound of Islay as having one of the best tidal resources in the UK meeting the following criteria:


  • excellent tidal energy resource;
  • relatively sheltered from large waves;
  • large enough area to accommodate ten turbines;
  • lack of nature conservation designations on the site.

Media coverage

ANDRITZ HYDRO Hammerfest HS1000 Tidal Turbine Technology
Al Jazeera News Report on the Tidal Project
New ParagraphBBC Arabic News Report on the Sound of Islay Tidal Project and Pelamis Wave Device
Robert Llewellyn’s Fully Charged – Wind, Waves and WhiskyNew Paragraph
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