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| Tidal power farm plan off coast | Tidal power farm plan off coast |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Plans have been unveiled for one of the world's first tidal power farms, to be sited off Anglesey. | Plans have been unveiled for one of the world's first tidal power farms, to be sited off Anglesey. |
| The project would see seven wave turbines placed two miles off the coast of the island in an area known as the Skerries. | The project would see seven wave turbines placed two miles off the coast of the island in an area known as the Skerries. |
| The scheme's backers, npower renewables and Marine Current Turbines (MCT), say it could provide enough energy to power 6,000 homes. | The scheme's backers, npower renewables and Marine Current Turbines (MCT), say it could provide enough energy to power 6,000 homes. |
| Environmentalists Friends of the Earth Cymru have welcomed the development. | Environmentalists Friends of the Earth Cymru have welcomed the development. |
| The project would involve building the seven tidal stream turbines in 25m (82ft) deep water, two miles off the coast and around seven miles north of Holyhead. | |
| Each underwater turbine is capable of generating 1.5 megawatts of power using the powerful tidal streams in the area. | Each underwater turbine is capable of generating 1.5 megawatts of power using the powerful tidal streams in the area. |
| We need to develop these renewable energy resources - it can't be beat Neil Crumpton, Friends of the Earth Cymru | We need to develop these renewable energy resources - it can't be beat Neil Crumpton, Friends of the Earth Cymru |
| If planning permission for the scheme is given the go-ahead, npower and MCT say they hope the tidal farm could be commissioned as early as 2011 or 2012. | If planning permission for the scheme is given the go-ahead, npower and MCT say they hope the tidal farm could be commissioned as early as 2011 or 2012. |
| The managing director of npower renewables, Paul Cowling said he believed the Skerries project provided the perfect solution for exploring new green power technology. | The managing director of npower renewables, Paul Cowling said he believed the Skerries project provided the perfect solution for exploring new green power technology. |
| "Tidal stream may be a young technology, but we are convinced by the results of MCT's work to date, that this is a technology with the potential to make a valuable contribution to UK renewable energy supplies, and the battle against climate change." | "Tidal stream may be a young technology, but we are convinced by the results of MCT's work to date, that this is a technology with the potential to make a valuable contribution to UK renewable energy supplies, and the battle against climate change." |
| MCT and npower renewables have set up a new company to take the project forward, called SeaGen Wales. | MCT and npower renewables have set up a new company to take the project forward, called SeaGen Wales. |
| Shelter | Shelter |
| The Skerries site was chosen because of its natural shelter and strong currents, and its location close to the port of Holyhead. | The Skerries site was chosen because of its natural shelter and strong currents, and its location close to the port of Holyhead. |
| A full assessment and detailed surveys of the surrounding environment and tidal resources will get underway shortly and continue through the rest of 2008. | A full assessment and detailed surveys of the surrounding environment and tidal resources will get underway shortly and continue through the rest of 2008. |
| SeaGen Wales said it hoped to be in a position to submit full planning applications in mid-2009, after local consultation. | SeaGen Wales said it hoped to be in a position to submit full planning applications in mid-2009, after local consultation. |
| If permission is granted, construction could begin by 2011. | If permission is granted, construction could begin by 2011. |
| Green power | Green power |
| Neil Crumpton, of Friends of the Earth Cymru, said the announcement was a boost for the search to harness greener power sources. | Neil Crumpton, of Friends of the Earth Cymru, said the announcement was a boost for the search to harness greener power sources. |
| "Britain has a great tidal stream resource along its coast. We need to develop these renewable energy resources - it can't be beat," he said. | "Britain has a great tidal stream resource along its coast. We need to develop these renewable energy resources - it can't be beat," he said. |
| "We need to be moving on this type of technology, and it is nice to see that we are. | "We need to be moving on this type of technology, and it is nice to see that we are. |
| "This is British technology and it will undoubtedly offer jobs for this part of Wales. Certainly in principle we would support it." | "This is British technology and it will undoubtedly offer jobs for this part of Wales. Certainly in principle we would support it." |
| However, the environmentalist admitted that the scheme would almost certainly have some visual impact, as each turbine rises 9m (30ft) out of the sea. | However, the environmentalist admitted that the scheme would almost certainly have some visual impact, as each turbine rises 9m (30ft) out of the sea. |
| "There will be a slight visual impact but what I would say is that we already have Wylfa nuclear power station on Anglesey," added Mr Crumpton. | "There will be a slight visual impact but what I would say is that we already have Wylfa nuclear power station on Anglesey," added Mr Crumpton. |
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