Northern Ireland has achieved a world first by installing a multi-million pound water turbine at the mouth of Strangford Lough.

Seagen is the first marine turbine to generate renewable, clean energy from tidal waters.

Built at Harland & Wolff, the tidal system was installed by in the Lough by MCT.

NI Executive Energy Minister Nigel Dodds last week said: "Northern Ireland has considerable natural resources, and to date wind farms have been our primary source of renewable energy.

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"It is, however, important to optimise the use of all renewable technologies and the installation of the SeaGen project in Strangford Lough demonstrates the potential for Northern Ireland."

During a 12-week commissioning period a team of environmental scientists from Royal Haskoning, Queen's University Belfast and St Andrew’s Sea Mammal Research Unit will closely monitor SeaGen’s operation and its interaction with marine life in Strangford Lough.

It is planned that the system will come into commercial operation by early summer.

See: Strangford Lough Turbine To Power Up At Easter

(VB)