Abstract
Scottish Power Renewables (SPR) has commissioned Haskoning UK Ltd to assist in applications for consent to install a demonstration tidal turbine array within the Sound of Islay, Scotland. The proposed area of interest lies within the central channel of the Sound of Islay. The demonstration tidal array of ten devices would be deployed within this area and is anticipated to have a footprint of approximately 0.4 km 2 . The turbines would generate up to 10MW of power and will be linked via underwater cabling to onshore infrastructure on Islay. SPR are currently investigating six potential landing sites on Islay for cable routing onshore to a substation that is currently proposed to be located in Keills. To inform the Environmental Impact Assessment an intertidal survey was undertaken across an area shown in Figure 1.1. The intertidal survey was completed in conjunction with the Phase 1 habitat survey of potential cable routes.