Smells like green spirit: Island drams go environmentally-friendly with tide
World-famous Scotch whisky produced on the islands of Islay and Jura will soon have an extra taste of the sea, thanks to a pioneering green energy project that will see distilleries powered by the ebb and flow of the tides.
The revolutionary Oran na Mara project, by marine energy firm Nova Innovation, will see a series of underwater turbinesinstalledbetweenthetwo islandsinscotland’sinnerhebrides.
The devices will generate 3Mwofgreenelectricity,which willbeusedtopowerlocalwhisky distilleries.
The turbines will not be visibleabovethewaterandwillnot createshippingornavigational hazards.
Well-known brands making use of the power include Islay’s Bunnahabhain and Bruichladdich.
Themovewillhelpthescotch whisky industry and the country achieve ambitious climate goals.
Simon Forrest, chief executive of Nova Innovation, said: “We are excited by the opportunity to combine Scotland’s rich whisky heritage with the immense power of the tide in the Sound of Islay.
“Tidal energy can play a huge role in decarbonising the whisky industry and ensuring a sustainable future for Scotland’s island communities.”
AJ Cunningham, operations manager at Bruichladdich Distillery, said: “This tidal energy project is really encouraging news for Islay and the potential of energy sourced locally and renewably. In order to decarbonise our activities, access to
a clean and continuous supply of energy such as tidal power couldhelpsupportourcarbonzero ambitions.”
A spokesperson for Bunnahabhain Distillery owner Distell, added: “This has significant potential to support a raft of improvements that Bunnahabhaindistilleryiscommitted to making, to grow the sustainability of the iconic Scotch malt whisky brand and supporting the distillery to help tackle the climate change crisis.”
Argyll and Bute MSP Michael Russell has welcomed the initiative.
He said: “It is good to see two success stories coming together.
“Whiskyisaglobalbrandand Islay is at the heart of that international industry.
“Our renewable sector is also attracting world attention and the waters around Islay have huge potential.
“The combination of the two showstheinnovationandimagination
for which Scotland is alsofamedandiamdelightedto welcome this news. It will help decarboniseislay,butitwillalso give an example of good practice which will be widely recognised and applauded.”
The new project comes following a similar tidal power scheme by Nova Innovation at Bluemull Sound in Shetland the world’s first offshore tidal array - which has been powering homes, businesses and the local grid since 2016.
Crown Estate Scotland (CES) has awarded the firm an Option Agreement for the Oran na Mara array, which enables the company to begin work on the development. Islay and Jura are currently home to 10 of Scotland’s bestknown whisky distilleries. Scotland has set a target to achieve net-zero climate emissions by 2045, five years ahead of the UK date of 2050.