Next stage of MeyGen project to go ahead
THE decision by Simec Atlantis Energy to go ahead with the next phase of the MeyGen project in the Pentland Firth has been hailed as "a welcome boost for the whole concept of tidal stream electricity".
Bill Mowat, chairman of Gills Harbour Ltd, was speaking after it was confirmed to him by company chief executive Tim Cornelius that phase 1B of the development – known as Project Stroma – will get under way later this year.
Work preparing the site for the new turbines in 35 metres of water is due to begin in November, with the entire scheme expected to be completed towards the end of 2020.
The work will include the laying of Simec's first subsea power hub. It incorporates a single link cable from its two new AR 2000 turbines to the shore at Ness of Quoys, about one mile east of Gills harbour.
The company has awarded a contract to subsea engineering specialist ETA Limited for the manufacture and delivery of what is described as "the world's most advanced subsea tidal turbine connection system" which will underpin the next stage of the development.
It will allow multiple turbines to be connected to a single power cable and will significantly reduce the costs associated with grid connection.
Management is exploring a number of funding options for the capital expenditure associated with Project Stroma, including a potential issue of the company's first listed bond.
Drew Blaxland, director of turbine and engineering services division, said: "The Atlantis subsea hub has been designed to deliver immediate, material reductions in the overall cost of tidal power generation.
"We have adapted tested products to our new turbine design to deliver an approximate 50 per cent reduction in the costs associated with turbine grid connection compared to MeyGen phase 1.
"This subsea hub has direct application to the growing floating offshore wind market globally. An adaptation of our hub will be able to connect multiple floating offshore wind turbines in deep water, helping this industry on its cost-down trajectory."
It is understood the decision to go ahead with phase 1B, or Project Stroma, was influenced by the promise of a £12 million grant from the European Union to develop clean, green energy. The turbines are likely to be assembled at Nigg Energy Park in Easter Ross.
Mr Mowat, who is Gills' marine renewables director, was delighted to hear "the good news" directly from the company boss when the pair met at the All-Energy conference in Glasgow this month.
"We very much hope that there will be business for Gills harbour from the deal," Mr Mowat said.
He added: "The decision by Simec Atlantis to proceed provides a welcome boost for the whole concept of tidal stream electricity, especially at a time when the UK Government is effectively blocking this type of electric power generation from any user subsidy contracts to be awarded this summer.
"One can only hope that the 91 MPs who are appealing to energy minister Claire Perry for her to reverse the ruling are successful in time for the 2021 allocations."
Four demonstration turbines have been installed at the Inner Sound. In the longer term it is planned to put in 269 turbines and generate enough potential energy to power 175,000 homes.
