MeyGen
MeyGen (full name MeyGen tidal energy project) will be the world's largest tidal energy plant, which is currently in construction.[1] The first phase of the project uses four 1.5 MW turbines with 16m rotor diameter turbines submerged on the seabed.[2] The project is owned and run by Tidal Power Scotland Limited and Scottish Enterprise.
MeyGen | |
---|---|
Country | Scotland |
Coordinates | 58°39′30″N 3°7′30″W |
Status | Operational |
Construction began | 2014 |
Commission date | 2016 |
Owner(s) | SIMEC Atlantis Energy |
Thermal power station | |
Primary fuel | |
Tidal power station | |
Type | |
Type of TSG |
|
Power generation | |
Units operational | 4 |
Nameplate capacity | 6 MW (4 × 1.5 MW) |
Annual net output | 13.8 GWh (2019) |
The high speed of currents in the area, reaching up to 5 metres per second (11 mph), made the chosen site in the Pentland Firth well suited to this type of energy generation.[3]
In October 2010 the newly named "MeyGen" tidal project from the nearby Castle of Mey and "Gen" for generation was created by a consortium of Atlantis Resources Limited, Morgan Stanley and received operational lease from the Crown Estate to a 400 MW project for 25 years.[4] Phase 1a began operations in April 2018.[5] Phase 1b is undergoing construction and commissioning with a total of 8 1.5 MW turbines planned. Phase 1c, which will be 49 turbines, will begin construction and deployment in 2018 with the rest of the project aiming to be fully deployed by 2021.[2]
In December 2016 it was announced that the first turbine had begun full power operations,[6] and all four turbines were installed by February 2017. Atlantis plans for 400 MW.[7] As of 2018, the four turbines have produced 8 GWh.[8] In 2019, they produced 13.8 GWh.[9]
The project received £1.5 million Scottish Government grant in 2020.[10]
References
- Dickie, Mure (12 September 2016). "Scotland unveils world's largest tidal stream power project". Financial Times. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
- "World's first large-scale tidal energy farm launches in Scotland". The Guardian. 12 September 2016. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
- Connor, Steve (10 July 2013). "Wave goodbye to hope of tidal energy exports, Scots politicians told". The Independent.
- "Major Scottish tidal project unveiled". New Civil Engineer. 28 October 2010. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
- "Meygen Starts 25 year operations phase".
- "Atlantis' first MeyGen tidal turbine starts operating at full power". Power Technology. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
- "Atlantis installs fourth and final Meygen Phase 1A turbine". 4c Offshore. 20 February 2017. Retrieved 26 February 2017.
- Hill, Joshua S (24 June 2019). "SIMEC Atlantis partners with GE on world's largest tidal stream turbine". RenewEconomy.
- Frangoul, Anmar (27 January 2020). "A tidal project in Scottish waters just generated enough electricity to power nearly 4,000 homes". CNBC.
- McPhee, David (2020-03-25). "Simec Atlantis Energy wins £1.5m Scot Gov grant for Meygen project". Energy Voice. Retrieved 2020-07-20.