RWE npower renewables has announced the appointment of a preferred contractor for the ground breaking Siadar Wave Energy Project on the Isle of Lewis.

This will be the first commercial scale scheme in the UK, generating ‘clean' electricity created through wave energy. The project is expected to produce four megawatts of electricity - enough energy to meet the annual needs of around 1500 homes.

It is anticipated that the Siadar Wave Energy Project, which will use Voith Hydro Wavegen's Oscillating Water Column technology, could lead to further similar schemes and be part of the birth of a new industry in the Western Isles and the rest of the UK.

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Marine specialist VolkerStevin Marine, in a joint venture with Westminster Dredging, has been awarded preferred contractor status for the design and construction contract for the wave energy power scheme. The project team, working alongside RWE npower renewables and Voith Hydro Wavegen, is currently undertaking a feasibility study looking at the construction design and viability with the aim of fabrication works starting in 2010.

Speaking about the multimillion pound contract, John Lovell at VolkerStevin Marine, said: "This is an exciting time for renewable energy development in the UK. The first commercially viable wave energy power project has been long awaited and we are pleased to be working with RWE npower renewables and Voith Hydro Wavegen to make this become a reality.

"We still have work to do on the design and construction of the project in terms of its continued viability and the engineering techniques required, but we are confident we can produce a scheme for our client that could be functional by 2012."

(CD/KMcA)