But Mr Booth insists there will be no sudden change to the station's output - and the distinctive Lilliburlero signature music will remain unchanged.

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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.

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The Liberal Democrat MSP said that initially the power station was to have 400 megawatt of its gross output (300 megawatt net) processed through carbon capture and storage technology, which would leave 75% to 80% of the plant' s CO2 emissions unabated for an indeterminate length of time.

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