The two wind turbines, made by Proven Energy Ltd in Scotland, have an annual average output of 24,000kWh and are virtually silent as they do not have a gearbox. Their electricity output is connected to the National Marine Aquarium's ExplorOcean grid and has the potential to power the entire ExplorOcean attraction, which opens on the 10th of this month.

The new £3.6m attraction is the UK's first dedicated marine science centre and includes exhibits showcasing the different types of sustainable ocean based energies, including solar, tidal and wind. There are 20 new interactive exhibits housed over three floors.

Demonstrating the technology showcased within the ExplorOcean zone, HRH, The Duke of Edinburgh opened the World Maritime Technology Conference in London on 6 March via an internet connection to the National Marine Aquarium. By pushing a button in London he activated a Video Ray ROV in a tank at the Aquarium which was then manoeuvred to open a treasure chest revealing a 'WMTC Open' float. Seawork 2006 exhibitor Atlantas Marine has supplied two Video Rays to the Aquarium.

Wind turbines have sometimes been controversial due to their noise and size on the landscape but the Aquarium's new turbines, funded by the Millennium Commission and Grant Aid, have been specially chosen to integrate with their location. The Aquarium hopes that by providing a visible demonstration of renewable energy which can be viewed 24 hours every day, it will encourage people to take climate change more seriously and think about different ways they too can make a difference.

Kelvin Boot, the National Marine Aquarium's director said, 'We have only got 40 to 60 years left before we start running out of carbon based energies such as coal and oil, so it is vitally important that we start using other resourceful means to obtain our energy.

Climate change is happening and destroying our planet so we have to look at new inexhaustible ways to produce energy.'

MJ Information No: 21638