The scheme would harness power from the Atlantic waves in Siadar Bay to generate up to 4 megawatts of electricity. SWEP is based on the Oscillating Water Column (OWC) proposal and would be sited some 350m from shore. The energy produced each year could supply the average annual electricity needs of around 1,500 homes on Lewis and Harris.

The npower renewables team has enlisted the support of external specialists to design a breakwater and other engineering features while Wavegen has continued to refine the turbine through a programme of testing and modelling. An environmental assessment of the site and surrounding area is nearing completion.

The application was submitted only days after the Scottish Executive rejected a 181 turbine windfarm on Lewis because of its potential impact on local bird life. More than 10,000 objections had been received. Communities opposed to the wind farm are reported to be supportive of SWEP and making plans to develop it as a tourist attraction.

If plans are given the go ahead by the Scottish Government, building work could start as early as 2009. The project could generate up to 50 construction jobs and would take around 18 months to complete.

Bill Langley, marine development manager for npower renewables said, 'We believe this is a new chapter in the UK’s search for a sustainable future. We remain convinced that the SWEP could be the gateway to harnessing the best wave resource in the UK. This pilot scheme could be the stepping stone to realising large scale wave energy projects around the UK and worldwide.'

Matthew Seed, CEO of Wavegen said, 'Wavegen is delighted to be working with npower renewables at Siadar and we look forward to demonstrating the commercial viability of wave energy. This project builds on the reliable technology proven at the Limpet plant on Islay, grid connected since 2000, and to be installed in Ente Vasco de la Energía’s Mutriku project, in the Basque Country of Spain. Wavegen has identified further UK locations for this type of plant, and we will be working with npower renewables to start making wave energy a real contributor to government renewable energy targets.'

The scheme involves building a new breakwater, similar in appearance to those frequently used around the UK’s coastline, the big difference being that the Siadar breakwater would house the Wavegen turbines. As well as providing green, renewable electricity, the SWEP could also provide shelter and facilitate the development of a fair weather harbour facility for small commercial and leisure craft, which is one of the aims of the Siadar Pier Group.