First Shetland Tidal Array turbine now fully operational

The 100 kW Nova M100 device has passed an extensive series of commissioning tests, and is now fully operational.

Scotland-based Nova Innovation and Belgian green energy company ELSA installed the device in February this year.

It is now connected to SSE’s NINES grid management system, which enables increased renewable energy capacity on a congested grid.

The turbine passed first phase commissioning, and Nova Innovation is now looking towards the deployment of the second turbine in the array, the company informed.

Simon Forrest, Managing Director of Nova Innovation, said: “Completing this first phase of commissioning is an important milestone for the project and our company. It shows that, through collaboration, a pan-European partnership between a Scottish manufacturing company and a Belgian developer can deliver a world-leading project.”

The first phase of the Shetland Tidal Array will consist of three 100 kW Nova M100 turbines, with more turbines planned in the following phases.