MeyGen delivers full 6MW of tidal power for first time after fourth turbine installed
The world-leading MeyGen tidal energy site being developed in the Pentland Firth has reached full power for the first time.
Parent company Simec Atlantis Energy announced that it had successfully deployed its fourth 1.5MW turbine, meaning the tidal stream is now delivering 6MW of predictable, renewable power.
Since deployment in 2016 the turbines operated by MeyGen have undergone several upgrades and enhancements to increase system efficiency and cost reduction, according to SAE.
In October, it confirmed that running costs had halved after maintenance was carried out on turbines.
The deployment of the turbine was carried out alongside Proteus Marine Renewables (PMR), with whom SAE recently announced it had started discussions to supply turbines for future phases of MeyGen.
PMR, alongside its partners SKF Marine and GE Vernova, are developing a 3MW turbine which could be used at MeyGen for the next phase which will see the generating capacity of the site increase to 59MW to create the world’s first commercial scale tidal array.
The turbine was taken to site from the MeyGen Operations base at Nigg Energy Park aboard the Maersk Involver. The deployment operation was supported by MWaves as the project Marine Warranty Surveyors and completed without incident.
Graham Reid, CEO of SAE, said: “Phase 1 of the MeyGen project was delivered to prove the technology and allow innovation to unlock the technology at commercial scale.
“From this perspective, phase 1 has been a huge success, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our project partners and, of course, our shareholders.
“This is a proud moment for everyone involved in the sector and those pioneering this vital, predictable renewable energy source.”
Future phases are planned to expand MeyGen to its total consented capacity of 398MW.
The company is also behind plans to develop the 300MW Mey Battery Energy Storage System.
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