Atlantis' MeyGen tidal project achieves grid connection

Aerial view of the MeyGen site. Source: Atlantis Resources Limited

Singapore-based Atlantis Resources Ltd (LON:ARL) said today that its MeyGen tidal power project, currently being developed in northern Scotland, is now hooked to the 33-kV Ness of Quoys distribution network.

The grid connection was achieved after network operator Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution Plc (SHEPD) completed the installation of one of the longest underground 33-kV power export cables in the UK, Atlantis said.

“We believe this is now the world’s largest energised grid connection of any commercial tidal stream array. We have made great progress over recent months at MeyGen on turbine and foundation preparation and we very much look forward to delivering first power to the grid later this year,” said Tim Cornelius, CEO of Atlantis.

In its statement, Atlantis said that the connection required an investment of more than GBP 1 million (USD 1.5m/EUR 1.3m) to be made before the financial close of MeyGen’s Phase 1A, which will consist of one Atlantis and three Andritz Hydro Hammerfest turbines, each with a capacity of 1.5 MW.

The installation of the first turbines is scheduled for the coming months. They are seen to generate first power in the second half of the year.

The entire MeyGen array is expected to have a capacity of 398 MW, meaning that it will be able to produce enough power to cover the annual consumption of about 175,000 Scottish homes.

(GBP 1.0 = USD 1.473/EUR 1.300)

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