Yet another proof of the way Argyll’s communities are not just taking responsibility for themselves, but are stepping into the pioneering of new technologies to combat climate change and develop sustainability.
The South Kintyre Development Trust (SKDT) has announced that it has been awarded £25,000 funding from the Climate Challenge Fund to investigate the potential for deploying tidal turbines in the Sound of Sanda.
The funding will be used to carry out a feasibility study and to train the trust’s staff and members.
SKDT is a member of the Community Powerdown project, a Scotland wide network of communities working to reduce their carbon footprint.
The trust’s Powerdown project officer, Malcolm McMillan, explains, ‘It is very much being done with an eye on the future – helping the community take the lead in using the renewable energy resources we have. I’m delighted the Climate Challenge Fund has funded a study into this pioneering technology’.
The feasibility study will be carried out by marine energy developer, Aquamarine Power, who will also be carrying out a workshop on implementing the deployment of tidal energy devices.
Aquamarine Power is a leading marine energy device developer based in Edinburgh, with extensive experience of consenting and site development for wave and tidal energy projects in Scotland. Last year they successfully installed their full-scale ‘Oyster’ wave energy converter at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney.
The feasibility study will carry out an analysis of tidal resources in the area and identify key environmental and socio-economic constraints.
The workshop will raise awareness and build capacity within the local community enabling the project to be progressed.
The results of the feasibility study will be presented at the training workshop, being held on the 28th April in Aqualibrium, Campbeltown. The results will also be available on the development trusts website and will be on display at an Environmental Fair to be held in late June.
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