Nova Innovation has been awarded an Option Agreement from Crown Estate Scotland to develop a 15MW tidal array at Yell Sound, between the islands of Yell and Bigga.

The new project follows Nova’s earlier tidal array in neighbouring Bluemull Sound, which was installed in 2016.

Companies in Shetland currently manufacture blades, steel structures and provide vessels and services for Nova. The turbines will be manufactured at Nova’s facility in Edinburgh. Nova will be working with its French tidal site partner Sabella to help develop the project along with sites in Wales and France.

Nova’s tidal turbines sit on the seabed, so there is no visual impact on the land and seascapes, and ships can pass above them. The company says environmental monitoring of Nova’s turbines in Bluemull Sound have demonstrated that they work in harmony with marine wildlife.

Michael Matheson, Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy, said: “This agreement between Nova Innovation and Crown Estate Scotland marks another important milestone in commercialising tidal energy in Scotland, putting Shetland at the heart of this exciting technology and its capability to deliver secure and reliable clean energy to support our climate targets.”