MeyGen, the world-leading tidal energy site in the Pentland Firth, has reached a significant milestone by achieving full power for the first time. The project’s parent company, Simec Atlantis Energy (SAE), announced the successful deployment of its fourth 1.5MW turbine, which has brought the tidal stream’s total output to 6MW of renewable power. Since the turbines began operating in 2016, the project has seen several upgrades aimed at enhancing efficiency and reducing costs.
In October, SAE reported a 50% reduction in operational costs following maintenance work on the turbines. The deployment of the new turbine was carried out in collaboration with Proteus Marine Renewables (PMR), with whom SAE has initiated discussions about supplying turbines for future stages of the MeyGen project.
PMR, in partnership with SKF Marine and GE Vernova, is developing a 3MW turbine for use in the next phase of the project, which aims to increase the site’s total generating capacity to 59MW. This phase is expected to create the world’s first commercial-scale tidal array.
The turbine was transported to the site from the MeyGen Operations base at Nigg Energy Park aboard the Maersk Involver, with the deployment operation supported by MWaves as Marine Warranty Surveyors. The operation was completed smoothly and without any issues.
Graham Reid, CEO of SAE, expressed pride in the success of Phase 1 of the project, highlighting the importance of innovation and collaboration in bringing the technology to a commercial scale. He also acknowledged the contributions of the project’s partners and shareholders. Looking ahead, SAE plans to expand MeyGen to its full consented capacity of 398MW, with additional projects such as the 300MW Mey Battery Energy Storage System in the pipeline.
The MeyGen project marks a major achievement in the development of tidal energy, with future plans set to further strengthen the role of this renewable resource in the global energy mix.
SAE Renewables Limited (LON:SAE) was founded in 2005 as a supplier of tidal stream turbines, SAE quickly grew to include development of tidal stream projects and is the majority owner of MeyGen, the world’s largest tidal stream energy project.
