SIMEC Atlantis troubleshooting redeployment ops for MeyGen tidal turbines

SIMEC Atlantis Energy has stepped up its efforts to redeploy three MeyGen tidal turbines, after a setback faced with the reinstallation of the first turbine to the Caithness site.

The Scotland-based company said it is continuing to work on the redeployment of the three turbines at MeyGen’s Phase 1 site, after having been retrieved out the water for maintenance earlier in 2021.

According to the company, the redeployment of one of the turbines was set back following a crane failure on the vessel being used for its redeployment.

SIMEC Atlantis informed that it is now working with the vessel operator to determine the next appropriate time for deployment.

The company is also working with stakeholders to ensure the remaining two turbines can return to operation as quickly as possible.

The operational fourth turbine continues to exceed expectations and demonstrates the viability of tidal turbine technology, according to SIMEC Atlantis.

Late in summer 2021, the company said it is considering installing two turbines – its proprietary AR1500 and Andritz Hydro Hammerfest AH1000 MK1 – in one offshore operation, reducing overall costs when compared to two separate vessel hires.

To remind, the MeyGen project’s Phase 1A involved the installation of the AR1500 onto a gravity-based foundation, alongside three other AH1000 MK1 turbines, to form an array of 6MW.

Since the installation in 2016, the MeyGen tidal array continues to generate clean, renewable energy, and to date has produced over 37GWh of clean, renewable tidal energy for the UK gird.

The MeyGen site is expected to welcome additional turbines, delivered jointly by SIMEC Atlantis and its fellow Scottish tidal energy developer Nova Innovation, who agreed to collaborate and bring more UK-built tidal turbines in the water – at MeyGen site and beyond.