The renewable energy firm behind proposals to install a 100MW tidal generation scheme off the County Antrim coastline has lodged a planning application for permission to install tidal turbines on the seabed and associated infrastructure to bring the power ashore.

The 100MW marine tidal scheme is capable of powering 70,000 homes.

The Environmental Statement supporting the application contains details on the different types of tidal turbine technologies being considered for the site together with findings from the surveys undertaken and environmental impact assessments. The application follows an extensive period of consultation including two rounds of public information days.

The project is the second of two tidal schemes off the North Antrim coast to have secured agreement from The Crown Estate for the development of large scale tidal energy projects offering a clean and predictable power source.

Clodagh McGrath, Project Manager of Fair Head Tidal, said the intention is for the Fair Head Tidal project to be developed in two stages.

The first stage would be to install an array of a possible four to six turbines, while the second stage would be more substantial, completing the scheme’s 100MW output.

DP Energy is developing similar schemes off the east coast of Canada, and off Orkney and Islay, Scotland.