SIMEC Atlantis decommissions 1.2-MW tidal system in N Ireland

SIMEC Atlantis Energy Ltd (LON:SAE) announced today it has concluded the lifecycle of the 1.2-MW SeaGen tidal stream energy project in Northern Ireland.

The company has successfully decommissioned in full the SeaGen tidal turbine support structure in Strangford Narrows. This is an industry first, it said in a statement.

“SeaGen’s successful decommission represents a major milestone moment for the tidal power industry. Not only has it validated the complete project lifecycle of a tidal stream energy development, moreover, we have done so with a tidal stream project of full commercial scale, that was connected to the grid,” said Tim Cornelius, CEO of SIMEC Atlantis Energy.

The decommissioning work was carried out by UK-based marine business Keynvor MorLift Ltd (KML), which was appointed as the principal contractor. The first phase of decommissioning began in May 2016, when the system’s two 600-kW Powertrains were removed. Then, in August 2018, the topsides and crossbeam were removed, while the successful removal of the remaining tower and subsea structure marked the completion of final works.

The surface piercing tidal SeaGen system was installed in 2008 and during its useful life exported more than 11.6 GWh of electricity. SIMEC Atlantis noted that this project helped shape the success of its flagship 398-MW MeyGen tidal power scheme, whose Phase 1A has now fed into the national grid around 19 GWh of electricity. According to the company, MeyGen’s total system availability approaches 90% for 2019 to date.

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