Intertek on board for wave models

SCOTTISHPOWER Renewables has hired a marine consultancy firm to help it run the rule over potential sites for wave and tidal power devices.

Under the deal – which was due to be unveiled today at trade body Renewables UK’s wave and tidal conference in Edinburgh – Intertek Metoc will provide computer models and help with survey work for a 95-megawatt (MW) tidal energy scheme at Ness of Duncansby, off the coast of Caithness, and a 50MW wave energy project at Marwick Head, on Orkney.

Intertek Metoc – which is based in Hampshire and has offices in Dundee and Cardiff – will provide ScottishPower with detailed information on the waves at each site, as well as predictions of potential wave and tidal technology performance.

The firm will give the Glasgow-based power company, which is owned by Spanish utilities giant Iberdrola, an idea of how much it will cost to run devices at the sites.