Atlantis readies MeyGen starters

Tidal power developer Atlantis Resources has officially unveiled the 6MW MeyGen Phase 1A project today at the Nigg Energy Park in Scotland.

The project consists of four 1.5MW turbines – three built by Andritz and one AR1500 Atlantis unit – weighing almost 200 tonnes each.

The turbines will be positioned on top of foundation structures on the quayside at Nigg ready for deployment to the MeyGen site in the Pentland Firth, Atlantis said.

The foundations and turbines will be transported to the site by Geosea’s Neptune jack-up vessel.

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon unveiled the first fully assembled turbine, which stands 15 metres tall and has blades 18 metres in diameter.

Atlantis said the unveiling follows the MeyGen project’s successful connection to the 33kV Ness of Quoys distribution network in June.

The company said it remains on track to deliver first power to the grid from MeyGen Phase 1A later this year.

Atlantis chief executive Tim Cornelius said: “This is the day the tidal power industry announced itself as the most exciting new asset class of renewable, sustainable generation in the UK’s future energy mix.

“This is an industry that is creating jobs and is contributing to making Britain great again and Scotland is the undisputed world leader of this high growth sector.

“2016 has proved to be an incredible year for the company and our shareholders and we look forward to commissioning this phase of the project and then focussing on achieving financial close of Phase 1B, as soon as possible.”

Sturgeon said: “MeyGen is set to invigorate the marine renewables industry in Scotland and provide vital jobs for a skilled workforce, retaining valuable offshore expertise here in Scotland that would otherwise be lost overseas.”

RenewableUK deputy chief executive Maf Smith said: “The MeyGen project is a major step forward in terms of scale, giving us a great boost in maintaining Britain’s pole position.

“The fact that the first turbine was assembled at what was an oil and gas fabrication yard illustrates the opportunities offered by renewables.”

Scottish Renewables director of policy Jenny Hogan said: “Today’s announcement from Atlantis reinforces the potential of tidal generation to make a significant contribution to the UK’s growing need for clean electricity, and to deliver further investment and jobs to the UK.

“However, this is still an incredibly young technology, and future development is absolutely dependent on continued support from Holyrood, Westminster and Brussels, who have all played a vitally important part in the growth of the sector to date.”

Ocean Energy Europe chief executive Rémi Gruet said: “The MeyGen farm is an important pathfinder for the sector and will further prove the viability of tidal energy as an investment opportunity.”

Image: Atlantis