Scotland rolls out tidal energy plans

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EDINBURGH, Scotland, Aug. 24 (UPI) -- The Scottish government said it signed a deal with domestic companies to build a tidal energy system that will be the first such device owned communally.

Scotland signed a fabrication contract with domestic companies Steel Engineering and Nova Innovation to build a tidal turbine system that will help power the industrial sector for a small community in Shetland. The government said it would be the first such system owned by the community.

"Scotland is leading the way in the development of marine renewables and today's announcement that the world's first community-owned turbine is to be manufactured and deployed on these shores is a truly fantastic endorsement of our burgeoning renewables sector," Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond said in a statement.

The turbine system will be deployed between two islands in the Shetland archipelago. The North Yell community received a $238,000 grant to help with the development of the project.

Scotland has one of the most ambitious renewable energy programs in the world. The government said the 30-kilowatt turbine system would provide about 120 new jobs and bring electricity to one of the most remote parts of the country.