ScottishPower, working closely with the Scottish Executive, today announced a £10m wave power project designed to push Scotland to the forefront of global marine energy development.

Four floating generators, designed to convert wave movement into electricity, will be moored off the European Marine Test Centre in Orkney in what will be the world's biggest commercial wave farm.

Due to be operating by 2008, the 160-metre Pelamis (Sea Snake) machines, will provide around 3MW of green electricity, enough to power around 2,000 homes.  A test prototype has already been taken to Orkney from Leith its operators, Ocean Power Delivery.

ScottishPower's Director of Renewables, Keith Anderson, said: "This is a massive step forward. It will be a test of the actual devices that will be used commercially and, if successful, should help propel Scotland into the forefront of marine energy throughout the world. Designed and constructed in Scotland, this kind of marine generator can make the best use of Scotland's natural resources and help combat the threat of global warming in the future."

Speaking at the launch of the project in Leith, Deputy First Minister Nicol Stephen said: Scotland has the potential to generate a quarter of Europe's marine energy and kick-starting the sector is vital if we are to create  a significant industry based in Scotland and meet our long-term renewables targets."

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Simon McMillan 0141 566 4875 or mobile 07753 622257