Located in Bluemull Sound, the Shetland tidal array project will feature five 100kW devices to generate clean electricity required to power equivalent of 300 homes.
Following the installation of the first Nova M100 turbine upon completing testing, the two firms have commenced first power export to the Shetland grid.
The project is being backed by the Scottish Government’s enterprise agency, Scottish Enterprise and the Renewable Energy Investment Fund (REIF).
Scottish Enterprise is supporting the project with £1.9m of grant and loan funding.
Elsa managing director Olivier Bontems said: "Our involvement in the project is driven by two key factors: confidence in the Scottish tidal industry and the generation of clean energy to enable economic growth.
"It is important for the future of Europe to develop strong partnerships able to successfully generate green power, using the skills and resources that exist across Europe."
Being developed in phases, the project’s first phase involves installation of three 100kW Nova M100 turbines while the remaining two turbines are planned to be installed in following phases.
Nova Innovation managing director Simon Forrest said: "Tidal energy has the potential to provide nearly 8% of European electricity demand. This milestone is an important step towards achieving this goal."
Image: The Shetland tidal array project is being developed in phases in Bluemull Sound. Photo: Copyright © Nova Innovation.
