Royal Haskoning monitors environmental impact of first tidal turbine

Environmental consultants Royal Haskoning are monitoring the impacts of SeaGen, the world's first commercial scale tidal stream energy turbine in Strangford Lough, Northern Ireland. The turbine was designed and developed by British firm Marine Current Turbines. When it reaches full power it will generate 1.2MW of electricity, supplying sustainable green power to the equivalent of 1,000 homes.

Royal Haskoning’s team of marine biologists has been managing the environmental studies for SeaGen since 2004, undertaking the initial Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) as part of the consents process, collecting over three years of baseline environmental data, and coordinating the ongoing environmental action and safety management plan (EASMP). The post-installation studies, which began when the turbine was installed in May this year, will focus on local marine life, socio-economic changes and impacts on shipping and navigation.

• Press release