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Next phase of MeyGen project will 'really put tidal energy on the map,' says Simec boss


By Gordon Calder

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The next stage of the MeyGen project off the Caithness coast will "really put tidal energy on the map," according to the company behind the pioneering development.

Graham Reid, the chief executive of Simec Atlantis Energy, said phase 2 will be "the largest consented tidal project in the world."

Graham Reid, chief executive of Simec Atlantis.
Graham Reid, chief executive of Simec Atlantis.

"We are looking at installing even bigger and more powerful turbines. The project is perfectly placed to deliver, and in the year when the UK hosts COP26 - the United Nations climate change conference in Glasgow - we hope we are in a position to demonstrate the huge potential of tidal, tidal generation systems, current projects, and the vital role tidal must play if we are to meet net zero emissions. The next phase will really put tidal energy on the map," he said.

Mr Reid, who succeeded Tim Cornelius in January, pointed out that Simec wants phase 2 to be considered by the UK Government in the next round of the contract for difference schemes which enable companies to stabilise their revenues at a pre-agreed level for the duration of a contract.

Mr Reid said: "Since joining at the start of the year I am constantly impressed by the dedication and delivery of the team. When developing projects it can sometimes feel that progress is slow but I hope we can demonstrate the huge effort that is going in to deliver these pioneering projects and technologies."

The present MeyGen project has the most powerful single turbines in the world. At present, it produces six megawatts of power but that will rise to 86MW in the next phase of the operation which includes plans to supply power to a data centre in what is expected to be a global first for marine energy.

When the MeyGen project is completed, it is due to generate 398 megawatts of electricity, which would power 175,000 homes.

Meanwhile, a tidal demonstration array at Raz Blanchard in waters between Alderney and France, will use "knowledge and expertise" from the MeyGen installation, according to the company.

The French project will consist of four turbines connected through a subsea hub, like the one installed recently in the Pentland Firth.

"By utilising the subsea hub technology, we will be able to reduce the number of export cables from four to one single cable, substantially reducing both the offshore installation costs and the environmental impact of the array. The overall design of the array will use knowledge and expertise gleaned from the deployment of the MeyGen array and the AR500 tidal turbine in Japan," said a company spokesman.

The Japanese turbine was built in Scotland and installed in the Naru Strait in the Goto island chain.


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