SIMEC Atlantis mulls complementary renewables at Uskmouth site

SIMEC Atlantis Energy Ltd (LON:SAE) is looking to vary its existing environmental permit for the Uskmouth power station conversion project in Wales, the developer said last week, noting that it is exploring complementary renewable energy options for the site.

The project in question proposes to convert the existing coal-fired power plant at Uskmouth Power Station into a 220-MW facility that runs on waste-derived fuel pellets. Atlantis has finalised a process with Natural Resource Wales (NRW) to demonstrate that the conversion will be fully compliant and is now working to provide the Welsh government with all the needed information to make a decision.

The company said in a statement it is looking into options to add more renewable energy generation to the site either as complementary or stand-alone capacity. In any case, the additional capacity will make use of some of the existing infrastructure, available land and grid connections.

Atlantis will be able to approach these opportunities thanks to the proceeds it will raise from the recently announced sale of its mini-hydro subsidiary Green Highlands Renewables (GHR) for GBP 3 million (USD 4m/EUR 3.5m) in cash. The board is considering a range of further funding options.

Meanwhile, the company is working on the re-deployment of three turbines at Phase 1 of its flagship MeyGen tidal stream power project in Scotland, but a crane failure has delayed the process for one of the units. Said turbines were taken out of the water for maintenance.

“SAE is 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,” the company said.

(GBP 1.0 = USD 1.322/EUR 1.175)

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