A contract, worth over £2 million, to complete the electrical engineering design and construct the electrical generating system for Aquamarine’s Neptune tidal stream device has been awarded (12th January) to power and automation technology group ABB. As part of the contract ABB will also install and commission the system at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney, where Aquamarine will demonstrate the first full-scale Neptune device.

Martin McAdam, Chief Executive of Aquamarine commented: "Aquamarine Power has been able to adapt wind power technology to get ahead in the race for tidal power. The first wind energy turbines were rated at a few kW or less. Nowadays, the average onshore wind turbine is rated at 1.5MW. At 2.4MW Neptune is the largest tidal turbine under development.

"With 20 years’ experience in the wind power sector; ABB is the right company to deliver our first tidal power generating system."

Steve Ruddell, General Manager, ABB Drives & Motors, added "ABB is committed to developing environmentally friendly energy solutions based on renewable resources and we are delighted that Aquamarine Power has selected ABB as their technology partner. We believe our tried and tested products and services currently utilised in the wind power sector are ideally suited for application within this developing tidal and wave power sector. Clearly, for the larger offshore power farms, the marine environment will be challenging. ABB has marine experience and know-how to help harness this powerful natural resource."