Proteus Marine Renewables, SKF, GE Vernova join forces on multi-megawatt tidal energy project

UK-based tidal energy company Proteus Marine Renewables (PMR) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Swedish bearing and seal manufacturing company SKF Marine and GE Vernova’s Power Conversion business to set a framework for delivering tidal turbine generation systems (TTGS) to developers of large-scale tidal arrays, with a focus on MeyGen’s Scottish tidal stream site.

PMR said that this alliance marks a step toward expanding MeyGen PLC’s (MeyGen) existing project with an initial commitment to provide at least 59 MW of new tidal energy capacity, reinforcing MeyGen’s status as “the largest tidal stream facility in the world”.

“We believe that Ocean Energy will play a crucial role in the required future sustainable energy mix,” said Martin Johannsmann, Managing Director at SKF Marine.

“Globally, the EU and UK are at the forefront of technology development to harvest this huge untapped resource, and over the past 15 years, our dedicated Ocean Energy team has partnered with leading wave and tidal energy device developers to create reliable, intelligent and clean rotating equipment solutions from the early design stages. So we are therefore excited that, in collaboration with Proteus Marine Renewables and GE Vernova, we are now advancing into the industrialisation of tidal energy.” 

The MOU outlines each company’s intended contributions. SKF Marine will provide rotating equipment, focusing on the main powertrain and its integration, while PMR will cover system design, assembly, installation, commissioning, tidal turbine generation specialty components, and other offshore services. 

GE Vernova will supply the electrical systems, ensuring power conversion from generator to grid, noted PMR.

Drew Blaxland, CEO of Proteus Marine Renewables added: “Collaborating with the aim to establish an Alliance with SKF and GE Vernova is a significant step in the commercialisation of tidal energy. Together, we have the capacity to deliver complete power systems using what will be the world’s largest tidal turbines providing a cost-effective and truly sustainable solution. 

Blaxland continues to add: “The commitment now from MeyGen for us to work towards execution of a £200m+ EPC contract with them shows confidence in our product and the delivery model, which will see us grow our team in Scotland and invest in assembly and manufacturing.”

In October, PMR joined the American Tidal Energy Project to help unlock Alaska’s tidal power potential, with the project receiving $3 million in U.S. Department of Energy (U.S. DOE) funding to evaluate Ocean Renewable Energy’s (ORPC’s) Cook Inlet site.

The UK-based company launched a crowdfunding campaign in early September to back its technology commercialization program. Almost a month later, PMR had its cost reduction projections validated with the European Investment Bank (EIB), confirming that the levelized cost of energy (LCoE) reduction forecasts for its AR3000 tidal energy system are achievable.