Norwegian utility Hammerfest Energi first floated the idea of a tidal turbine in 1996, setting up Hammerfest Strøm as a technology-development company a year later. ScottishPower Renewables became a shareholder in 2008, forming Glasgow-based subsidiary Hammerfest Strøm UK to license the technology for turnkey tidal-power stations off Britain and Ireland. "Tidal power is predictable, and therefore differs from other renewable-energy sources.