Another winner is Hammerfest Strom UK, a joint venture between its Norwegian parent company and ScottishPower Renewables.

BBC: Marine power schemes given cash boost

Hammerfest is also understood to have plans to create a manufacturing facility in Scotland which would build the turbines for the Islay project.

BBC: Marine power schemes given cash boost

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

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