Hydro Group Connects with MeyGen

Aberdeen-based Hydro Group has completed the supply of complete connection systems for three turbines on the MeyGen tidal energy project.

The company secured the supply contract from Andritz Hydro Hammerfest (AHH).

Doug Whyte, managing director at Hydro Group said: “This significant MeyGen project is further testament that Hydro Group is seen as a major operator and supplier to the renewable energy markets.”

The scope of work involved Hydro Group providing the connection management system and interfacing the export cable up to the nacelle, including the dynamic cable, the in-board connection system and the mechanical loading system, transmitting a power output of 1.5MW at 4.0kV per turbine and incorporating fibre optic links.

“The tidal array is the first of its kind in the world, making for one of the most innovative renewable energy projects, and we are delighted MeyGen selected Hydro Group to play a key role supporting this initiative,” Whyte added.

As part of phase 1A of the 398MW tidal array project, four submerged turbines, generating 6MW, have been installed in the Pentland Firth, Scotland, with more than £50 million having been raised to finance the initial stage.

The MeyGen project has the potential to provide clean, sustainable, predictable power for 175,000 homes through a network of 269 tidal turbines secured to the seabed, with the first power to the national grid delivered late 2016.