Atlantis in New Tidal Project with Kyuden Mirai Energy in Japan

SIMEC Atlantis has signed a contract to supply tidal generation equipment and offshore construction services to Japan’s Kyuden Mirai Energy (KME) for a demonstration project in Japan.

The project, located in the straits of Naru Island within the southern Japanese Goto island chain, has a total budget of 1,800m¥.

The project will seek to capitalize on Japan’s wealth of tidal resources which are some of the best in the world. The prefecture of Nagasaki has over 900 islands alone located in tidal rich waters.

The Atlantis Turbine and Engineering Services Division (ATES) will supply and install an AR-Series turbine and  associated balance of plant.

The system will be deployed at site in the Nagasaki Prefecture initially in a demonstration capacity, operating at a reduced generation output of around 500kW, as a data collection and validation device for the client and Japanese regulatory bodies.

Atlantis expects to deliver and install the tidal generator by late Q3 2020, with completion of the demonstration in Q1 the following year.

The possibility to upgrade the project to full output post successful completion remains, subject to approval.

Atlantis will be responsible for the supply installation and operation of the turbine system, inclusive of foundation and cable supply, and has brought on Orkney based offshore marine energy construction specialist Green Marine to bolster offshore construction planning and installation support for the cable and foundation.

Tim Cornelius, CEO of SIMEC Atlantis Energy, said: “SIMEC Atlantis has been at the forefront of marine energy for the past decade, building a strong portfolio of projects across Europe and around the world. Japan’s decarbonisation ambitions and world-leading tidal resource combine to create huge potential for Atlantis’ tidal generation systems in the future.

“This is our largest awarded export contract to date and our partnership with Kyuden Mirai Energy is representative of the leadership position SIMEC Atlantis has taken in exporting Scottish know how and expertise into new international markets.”

Drew Blaxland, director of ATES Division, added: “We are delighted to have won this contract to supply such a prestigious customer as KME and to be afforded the opportunity to work with them on this very important marine energy project in Japan. The Japanese market holds huge potential for us in terms of the future sale of turbine generation systems to deliver predictable power to hundreds of inhabited islands throughout the prefecture of Nagasaki. It is a privilege to be at the forefront of exporting Scottish equipment, services and know how. We are very committed to delivering this project on budget and on time for our client.”