SCOTTISH marine energy firm Simec Atlantis Energy has scooped a £1.5 million grant to develop its Meygen tidal turbine project.
The Scottish Government funding, part of a £10m Saltire tidal energy pot supporting the commercial deployment of tidal energy, will be used to design, install, connect and commission the subsea hub and associated subsea connection infrastructure.
The Highland MeyGen tidal power array, based in the Pentland Firth, is currently the world’s largest tidal stream power project.
The subsea hub, which will be assembled and tested in Scotland, will be installed in late 2020.
Tim Cornelius, Atlantis chief executive, said: “We are very grateful and appreciative of the Scottish Government’s continued support for tidal stream energy by awarding this grant to help fund MeyGen’s ongoing expansion.
“The first of its kind globally, the new subsea hub represents a significant milestone in the cost reduction path that tidal power is currently on and also has exciting application in the floating offshore wind market.
“The subsea hub we have designed and developed is a key part of our overall cost reduction strategy for tidal power generation.
“This hub will also have direct application for other forms of marine energy such as floating offshore wind and wave energy.
“We are very proud to be taking the lead in realising the full potential of our oceans’ energy, delivering a cleaner energy future.”
