Atlantis Resources has revealed the largest diameter tidal turbine ever built, second only in power to Bristol-designed SeaGen.
The AK-1000's blades are 18m in diameter and can generate 1MW.
Currently waiting in Invergordon, it is due to be installed between Orkney and the mainland on the floor of the Pentland Firth.
"It is designed for harsh weather and rough, open ocean environments such as those found off the Scottish coast," said the firm. "It represents the culmination of 10 years of hard work."
The nacelle was fabricated by Soil Marine Dynamics in Newcastle, the gravity base structure and system assembly was completed by Isleburn Engineering in Invergordon, and steel for the turbine came from Corus' Scunthorpe facility.
The firm claims that tidal electricity from turbines can be delivered at a price between that of on-shore and off-shore wind turbines.
And that, including anchoring structures, its 130 tonne turbine can replace a 1,000 tonne off-shore wind turbine - although in this case it is comparing a 1MW water turbine with a 3-5MW wind machine.
The AK-1000 blades rotate at 8-20rpm and drive the permanent magnet generator directly, eliminating any gearbox.
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