MeyGen tidal turbines come ashore

SIMEC Atlantis Energy has retrieved two MeyGen tidal power turbines for inspection and maintenance.

The retrieval operation took place at an offshore site between Scotland’s northernmost coast and the island of Stroma with the support of Viking Neptun subsea construction vessel, and the ROV crew onboard.

Both turbines were retrieved in ‘just over 24 hours’, according to SIMEC Atlantis, which also said the turbines made it safely back to shore for offload at Nigg Energy Park.

The retrieved turbines – supplied by Andritz Hydro Hammerfest (AHH) – will now be inspected onshore.

Depending on the confirmation of the fault diagnosis, thought to be related to generator, the repairs are expected to be completed within approximately two months, SIMEC Atlantis said earlier.

Thanks Fraser for these great shots of turbines being offloaded at Nigg Energy Park #MeyGen pic.twitter.com/VmUuF3p3yB

— SIMEC Atlantis Energy (@simecatlantis) July 23, 2018

The remaining AHH turbine and Atlantis’ own AR1500 turbine continue to generate electricity, the company noted.

Each turbine for the Phase 1A of the MeyGen project is rated at 1.5MW, bringing the project to 6MW rated capacity.

Hence, MeyGen is currently the world’s largest tidal stream array with 392MW of further development capacity under its seabed lease.