A tidal turbine built in Scotland is now producing power in Japan

A tidal turbine built in Scotland is now producing power in Japan

A tidal turbine built and tested in Scotland has been installed in waters off a Japanese island chain, representing the latest example of how the East Asian country is investigating the potential of marine-based forms of energy production.

In a statement Monday, London-listed firm Simec Atlantis Energy said its pilot turbine had generated 10 megawatt hours in its first 10 days of operation.

The AR500 turbine was put together at a facility in Scotland before being shipped to Japan, where it was installed in waters off Naru Island, which is part of the larger Goto Island chain. 

According to SAE, the overall project involves the leasing of tidal generation equipment as well as the provision of offshore construction services to Japanese company Kyuden Mirai Energy.

SAE's CEO, Graham Reid, described the installation as a "huge milestone for the deployment of clean, renewable energy from tidal stream and we hope it will be the first of many tidal turbines installed in Japan."

Monday's news marks the latest example of how companies in Japan, an island nation boasting thousands of miles of coastline, are turning to projects centered around tidal and wave energy.

In January, it was announced that shipping giant Mitsui O.S.K. Lines would partner with a