An operation to produce energy from underneath the waves is due to get under way off the coast of Scotland.

One of the world's first tidal generators to be installed offshore, will be lowered to the seabed off Shetland at the weekend.

The �1.8m prototype, codenamed Stingray, is part of the UK Government's aim of providing 40% of Scotland's power from renewable sources by 2020.

Magnus Campbell: "Cutting edge technology"

However, the primary aim of the Stingray project will be as a test-bed for the new technology.

Stingray sits on the seabed and turns tidal movement into useable energy.

The tidal generator is capable of producing 150 kilowatts of electricity, which is enough to light hundreds of homes.

The machine has been developed by The Engineering Business, a company based in the north of England.

Production engineer Magnus Campbell said: "The machine uses the tidal flow running past it to drive its main arm up and down and the motion of that arm can be used to generate electricity.

Minimal impact

"It is certainly the first of its kind and is right at the cutting edge of this type of technology."

Stingray's developers said it possessed a number of positive qualities, including its ability to harness large amounts of energy from the UK's tidal streams.

Because it is submerged, it has a minimal environmental impact.

If the Shetland trial proves a success, the company plans to build a cluster of machines for the first underwater energy farm off the coast of Britain.

The Stingray project has received funding under the Department of Trade and Industry's New and Renewable Energy programme.