A major tidal energy project will be built off the west coast of Scotland, the first of its kind to be given planning permission.
Ten tidal turbines will be planted on the seabed of the Sound of Islay, a Scottish strait, to convert its strong tides and fast flowing waters into electricity.
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The one-megawatt turbines will together generate enough electricity to power over 5 000 homes, and meet all the energy needs of nearby island Islay.
Scottish Power Renewables, which applied for consent to construct and operate the Islay tidal array in July 2010, said it will be the world's first.
"This really cements Scotland's position as the leader globally in wave power and tidal power," Alan Mortimer of Scottish Power Renewables told BBC.
Scotland's Finance and Sustainable Growth Secretary John Swinney said: "This development - the largest tidal array in the world ... will be a milestone in the global development of tidal energy."
The tidal array will resemble an underwater wind farm, however the turbines' blades will turn slowly to avoid harming dolphins and whales.
