One of Northern Ireland's most scenic areas is soon to become a 'powerhouse' with revised plans now at an advanced stage to run an underwater electricity turbine.

Strangford Lough, which has one of the fastest tidal flows in the world, is to be home for the SeaGen marine turbine, will produce energy for 1,000 homes when it becomes operational.

A new date has been set to install the world's first turbine to create commercial amounts of electricity.

The original plans to install SeaGen were shelved last year after problems securing a vessel to plant the system.

However, it will now be deployed by a crane barge at the end of March, makers Marine Current Turbines said.

The turbine has the capacity to generate 1.2mw of electricity, four times more than any other tidal turbine. It will operate in Strangford Lough for up to five years and will be installed by the crane barge Rambiz, in an operation which will take up to 14 days.

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The turbine will first be picked up from Harland and Wolff in Belfast after final assembly.

Concerns remain over the environment, however, though the makers say that a team of environmental scientists will be in the lough to monitor the turbine's operation and effect on marine life.

Strangford is a breeding ground for common seals, but the company says that the speed of the rotors is so low - no more than 10 to 15 revolutions per minute it is said - that they are unlikely to pose a threat to marine wildlife.

Named from the Old Norse: Strangrfjörthr meaning "strong ford" describing the fast flowing narrows the island studded sea lough is the largest inlet in both the UK and island of Ireland, covering 150 square kilometres.

Almost totally landlocked, the lough is approached from the Irish Sea through the eight kilometre long fast-running tidal narrows, which open out into more gentle waters.

Strangford Lough is an important winter migration destination for many wading and sea birds. Animals commonly found in the lough include seals, basking sharks and Brent Geese. Three quarters of the world population of Brent Geese winter in the lough.

Martin Wright, Managing Director of MCT, said there was global interest in the device and that it could be a springboard for the further development of the marine energy industry.

"We have carried out extensive engineering and environmental studies to ensure the very best means of installation and operation," he said.

MCT intends to manufacture and deploy a series of SeaGen devices in projects off Anglesey and on the Canadian seaboard within the next two to four years.

(BMcC)