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 16 m (52 ft) rotor diameter turbines submerged on the seabed.[2] The project is owned and run by Tidal Power Scotland Limited and Scottish Enterprise.
MeyGen | |
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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 |
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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 m/s (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 eight 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 (25 March 2020). "Simec Atlantis Energy wins £1.5m Scot Gov grant for Meygen project". Energy Voice. Retrieved 20 July 2020.