MeyGen Tidal Stream Project
Inner Sound, Pentland Firth, Scotland · 2010–Present (Consent awarded 2013, initial phase 1A operational 2016) [1] [2] · Over £50 million (for initial Phase 1A) [3]; total project cost for 6MW is £305/MWh for the first 30MW [4]
The judgement call
Account-gated at launchMeyGen is the largest operational tidal stream project in the world, demonstrating the potential of tidal energy as a predictable and sustainable source of electricity. It has exported over 20 GWh to the grid, setting global records for continuous power generation. [5] [8]
Key engineering challenges
Deploying and maintaining tidal turbines in the high-flow, harsh environment of the Pentland Firth. [1] - Developing robust subsea infrastructure for power transmission and connection to the grid. [7] - Overcoming the high costs associated with pioneering tidal stream technology. [4] - Ensuring long-term reliability and survivability of equipment in strong tidal currents. [7]
Project facts
- Client / owner
- MeyGen Limited (owned by SAE Renewables) [5]
- Lead contractor
- —
- Lead designers
- —
- Project type
- new build
- Scale
- Up to 398 MW potential final capacity; 6 MW currently operational (Phase 1A); 14 tidal energy conversion modules, each 2.3 MW. [1] [2] [7]
- Disciplines
- marine; electrical; civil; mechanical; environmental; project management
- Standards & frameworks
- Scottish marine licensing, UK grid codes.
Sources: Tethys: MeyGen Tidal Energy Project (https://tethys.pnnl.gov/project-sites/meygen-tidal-energy-project) [1] - Open Energy Information: MeyGen Pentland Firth (https://openei.org/wiki/PRIMRE/Databases/Projects_Database/Projects/MeyGen_Pentland_Firth) [2] - Ocean News: Hydro Group On-board £51million MeyGen Tidal Energy Project (https://oceannews.com/news/energy/hydro-group-on-board-51million-meygen-tidal-energy-project/) [3] - The Guardian: World’s first large-scale tidal energy farm launches in Scotland (https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/sep/12/worlds-first-large-scale-tidal-energy-farm-launches-scotland) [4] - Low Carbon Contracts: The MeyGen Tidal Stream Project: Pioneering Sustainable Energy Generation from the Ocean (https://www.lowcarboncontracts.uk/news/the-meygen-tidal-stream-project-pioneering-sustainable-energy-generation-from-the-ocean/) [5] - Ampeak Energy: Offshore works completed at MeyGen site (https://ampeak.energy/offshore-works-completed-at-meygen-site/) [6] - Ampeak Energy: MeyGen (https://ampeak.energy/tidal-stream/meygen/) [7] - Apollo Engineering: experience of the MeyGen Tidal Array (https://apollo.engineer/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/CORE-2019-Paper-Meygen-project-TI-learning-final-rev0.pdf) [8]