The installation will be the first commercial tidal-stream application anywhere in the world.

The Bristol based company Marine Current Turbine has developed SeaGen and is installing the device in Strangford Lough, off the coast of Northern Ireland.

The turbine harnesses power from the tidal stream. The underwater movement of the tidal flow turns the turbine like an underwater windmill, thus producing a clean and secure energy source which will provide enough electricity to power around 1,000 homes.

Steph Merry, head of Marine at the REA, said: "The installation of Seagen is a proud moment for the UK marine renewbles industry. It demonstrates to the world the quality of UK engineering and innovation and shows the UK has the potential to surge ahead with marine renewables."

The UK boasts 50% of Europe's tidal and 35% of its wave resources meaning marine renewables could potentially meet up to a fifth of the UK's electricity needs.

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