SAE Renewables plans to conduct subsea operations at the MeyGen Tidal Array in Scotland’s Pentland Firth in late October. The work is scheduled to take place from October 23 to 26, focusing on the installation of a tidal turbine. This will be accompanied by the placement of four four-tonne rock bags, and the recovery of a scientific monitoring platform that had been previously deployed. The operations will occur in the Inner Sound, an area known for its tidal energy potential.
The MeyGen site has been functional since 2017 and is home to SIMEC Atlantis’ longest-running turbine, which has been in continuous operation since December 2018. The turbine has maintained an impressive average availability of 95%, operating 20 meters beneath the cold waters off the North Coast of Scotland. This location is where the flow of water between the North Sea and the North Atlantic narrows between the Scottish mainland and the Orkney Isles, making it an ideal site for tidal energy.
In July 2023, SAE Renewables successfully redeployed a turbine that had undergone significant upgrades. These improvements were aimed at enhancing both the performance and reliability of the tidal turbine. According to the company, this was a critical step towards ensuring that the next phase of turbines installed at the MeyGen site would be more advanced and deliver superior performance.
In September 2024, the UK government announced the results of the sixth Allocation Round (AR6) for contracts for difference (CfD) renewable energy auctions. Among the successful bidders was the MeyGen project, which secured 9 MW of tidal stream capacity. This award is part of a broader initiative to provide 28 MW of capacity across six different projects, highlighting MeyGen’s continued importance in the UK’s renewable energy strategy.
SAE Renewables continues to play a key role in the development of tidal energy, with its ongoing work at the MeyGen site reflecting the progress in renewable energy technology. The upcoming operations and recent government support underline the significance of the MeyGen Tidal Array as a key player in this growing sector.
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.
