In two years' time Hammerfest is hoping to install 10 tidal turbines in the Sound of Islay, which should produce enough electricity to power the whole of the Island.

BBC: Marine power schemes given cash boost

Although there are examples of similar stand-alone operations in Norway and the UK, the Sound of Islay turbines would be the first large group of its kind anywhere in the world.

CNN: Tide turns towards undersea energy

If the next stage of testing goes according to plan, Mortimer says that work will soon begin on a fleet of the turbines -- manufactured by Andritz Hydro Hammerfest -- and will be installed at another site in the Sound of Islay off the west coast of Scotland.

CNN: Tide turns towards undersea energy

The 10 megawatts of power that will be generated by the Sound of Islay turbine farm pales into insignificance when compared to the output of a large nuclear or coal power station, which according to American hydro energy non-profit the Ocean Energy Council, can produce up to 100 times as much electricity.

CNN: Tide turns towards undersea energy