The Netherlands is to produce its first commercial tidal energy by placing five turbines between the pillars of the Oosterschelde storm barrier in Zeeland.

The tidal turbines will produce enough energy each year to power 1,000 homes, broadcaster Nos says. The energy will be sold to an international company.

The turbines, which will be put in place this summer, are manufactured by Den Oever company Tocardo which has been developing them since the end of the 1990s. They are similar to wind turbines but with smaller vanes.

The economic affairs ministry is subsidising the total €11m cost of development, placement and exploitation, the Nos says.

The Oosterschelde barrier is one of the few places in the Netherlands where the tide is strong enough to produce energy.