Gallery: World’s largest tidal turbine launched in Belfast

Orkney-based Scotrenewables Tidal Power has launched its 2 MW SR2000, the world’s largest energy generating floating tidal turbine.

Scotrenewables launched its first commercial scale, 550 tonne machine at Harland & Wolff shipyard in Belfast.

The turbine will undergo preliminary tow trials in Belfast Lough before being towed to the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney to commence a grid connected test programme.

Andrew Scott, Scotrenewables’ CEO, said: “We’re now looking forward to getting the machine up to EMEC and start the test programme to demonstrate more of the clear engineering and cost advantages our approach can bring to the commercial tidal sector.”

The SR2000 is the culmination of more than 12 years of a detailed and incremental engineering R&D programme, with the project being supported by £1.25 million funding under the Scottish Government’s WATERS2 initiative.

The turbine design follows Scotrenewables’ floating generating platform philosophy, which the company expects will deliver a step-change cost and risk reduction to the commercial tidal energy sector.

Photo courtesy of Scotrenewables Tidal Power

SR2000 tidal turbine consists of a 64 m floating hull that incorporates two 1 MW rotors mounted on retractable legs.

The company’s progress has been underpinned by longstanding support and investment of more than £25 million from main investors: ABB, Scottish Government’s Renewable Energy Investment Fund, DP Energy, Fred. Olsen Group and Total New Energies.

Prior to the current 2 MW SR2000 unit the company delivered and operated SR250, a 250 kW generator in 2011, which was the first to export electricity to the UK electricity grid from floating tidal energy at EMEC in 2012.

In parallel with the SR2000 project, Scotrenewables has also recently been selected by the European Commission to lead on the engineering and delivery of a further enhanced model of the SR2000 machine for demonstration alongside the existing unit.