Turbine manufacturing facility mooted for far north as MeyGen wins fresh contracts
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A world-leading tidal energy firm operating in the Pentland Firth will develop the most powerful tidal turbines ever built after securing a guaranteed price for its power.
MeyGen will commission a series of 3MW turbines as it looks to expand its test site – currently operating at 6MW – to add a further 50MW by March 31, 2028.
The company secured four Contracts for Difference (CfDs) in the latest allocation round from the UK government, announced on Friday.
The new contracts guarantee SAE Renewables – MeyGen’s parent company – £198 per megawatt hour of electricity produced for 15 years from the March 2028 commissioning date, allowing the firm to deliver 22MW of predictable tidal energy.
SAE says it has been making good progress on the delivery of the 28MW secured in the previous CfD round in June 2022. By delivering the two projects in parallel, it aims to benefit from economies of scale to deliver a 50MW tidal stream array in addition to the 6MW already in operation at the MeyGen site.
A spokesperson for MeyGen said: “To deliver these projects, SAE is in advance discussions with a consortium, involving global manufacturing and engineering firms, which will see the deployment of 3MW turbines.
“These turbines will be the most powerful tidal turbines ever deployed. SAE is working to ensure the project achieves the maximum benefit for the UK and Scotland, with the potential for a turbine manufacturing facility being established near the site.”
A number of onshore wind farms also gained contracts in the CfD allocation round, including Camster II and Strathy South wind farms.
Related news:
- MeyGen revenue from electricity sales rose to £3.9 million last year – up £2.3 million from 2021
- Next phase of MeyGen project could provide 'an incredibly exciting opportunity' for the far north, says Caithness business boss
- Pentland Floating Offshore Wind Farm will be precursor to large-scale development across UK and globe
However, there were no offshore wind projects in the UK government’s auction, a move criticised by the trade body Scottish Renewables.
It described the absence of offshore wind from the allocation as a “major blow” to Scotland and the UK’s renewable energy ambitions, arguing that Scotland’s large-scale offshore wind projects are central to the UK’s new energy system, replacing old fossil fuel power stations with cheap, clean electricity.
Claire Mack, chief executive of Scottish Renewables, said: “Today’s results are a major blow and should serve as an indication that urgent reform is needed. Every megawatt of renewable energy which isn’t built right now prolongs our dependence on generation using expensive imported gas, which costs consumers money.
“It’s also bad for Scotland’s energy supply chain, which is trying to transition from oil and gas to renewables and desperately needs a steady stream of projects to make their own investments in skilling up and new technology.”
Pentland Floating Offshore Wind Farm did not participate in the auction, but says it will target participation in the next CfD round, subject to parameters being confirmed next year.
A spokesperson said: “The project continues at an advanced stage of development and has secured all necessary offshore and onshore consents to progress, as well as having recently completed all offshore geotechnical, wind and wave surveys required for construction.
“The project team and investors look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with stakeholders and the supply chain to deliver what will be a leading floating wind project of global importance.”
