Pentland Firth in Scotland will generate tidal energy of about 1.9GW, half of the country's electricity requirement, according a report published by Oxford University.
The study further revealed that the developers can easily gross 500MW of energy through tidal projects; however as the capacity increases, the difficulty would surge.
A target of 1GW is more realistic, the researchers advised.
Oxford University Department of Engineering Science member and report author Dr Thomas Adcock said that the Pentland Firth is one of the most potential sources for tidal energy.
‘Our study provides the first robust data about how much energy it would be feasible to extract," added Adcock.
"It also suggests that to be efficient any scheme would have to be "joined up" so that, for example, individual tidal turbines do not cancel each other out and provisions are made to store the greater energy produced by spring tides and feed these back in at neap tides."
RenewableUK, an industry body, has welcomed the research stating that with other locations in the Scottish waters, the nation would achieve a major position in energy across the UK.
RenewableUK Wind and Tidal Energy development manager David Krohn noted: "Scotland’s potential for developing tidal power is amongst the highest in the world.
"While the Pentland Firth is undoubtedly the jewel in the crown, Scotland’s large coastline and archipelagos contain a number of significant sites. Kyle Rhea and Islay are currently under development and have received upfront capital support from the UK Government and the European commission respectively."