MeyGen tidal turbine gets blades

AC Marine & Composites has delivered the first set of tidal turbine blades to Atlantis Resources.

The blades will be used for Atlantis’ AR15000 1.5MW tidal turbine which will be deployed as part of the MeyGen tidal energy project.

Alantis Resources hired AC Marine & Composites to manufacture the turbine blades and assist with manufacturing advice during the design phase back in August 2016.

Alex Newton, Director of AC Marine & Composites, said: “We worked closely with Atlantis throughout the design and development phases of the AR1500 unit and are extremely proud to have reached this juncture after years of work. The potential of tidal power in the UK is vast. Not only as a renewable source of energy but also in terms of job creation and the support it can give to the UKs supply chain. With the next phase on the horizon times could not be more exciting.”

During the Phase 1A of the MeyGen project, four 1.5MW tidal turbines will be deployed at MeyGen site in Pentland Firth, off Scotland.

The first Andritz Hydro Hammerfest turbine installed for the project started producing power on November 15, reaching its full operating speed early in December, 2016.

Last month, Atlantis also confirmed its investment decision to proceed with the next development phase of MeyGen in 2017, known as Project Stroma.

AC Marine & Composites is a UK-based boat builder that specializes in the manufacture of composite components for the marine and renewable energy sectors.