Scottish tidal developer Sustainable Marine Energy has confirmed the cancellation of a tender to install its 100kW PLAT-O device at Orkney’s European Marine Energy Centre.
The semi-submersible platform was due to be installed at berth seven of EMEC’s Fall of Warness grid-connected off Orkney.
The tender initially sought a marine contractor to install the subsea cable connection system and moorings, plus the ultimate removal, of the device featuring Schottel Hydro turbines.
Summer deployment of PLAT-O has been put on ice to prioritise the autumn testing of its next-generation PLAT-I floating platform off Oban’s Connel Sound.
The 105-tonne PLAT-I steel trimaran will feature four Schottel Hydro SIT 250 tidal turbines each rated at 62kW.
The plans to shelve the installation of PLAT-O to concentrate on PLAT-I were first revealed in subscription-only newsletter reNEWS.
SME has applied to Marine Scotland to deploy the 248kW device for up to eight weeks of non-grid connected sea acceptance tests during September and October.
Crown Estate Scotland has granted SME an option agreement to carry out an assessment of the site and consenting activities.
Image: PLAT-O tidal device (SME)
Scots tidal pulls plug on EMEC
Sustainable Marine Energy cancels tender for Plat-O installation
By EBS