Atlantis has unveiled a technical milestone for its flagship MeyGen project in northern Scotland, which is now connected to the 33kV Ness of Quoys distribution network, following the successful installation of one of the longest underground 33kV power export cables in the UK by the network operator, Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution (SHEPD).
The connection complies with the National Grid Code and has required over 25km of distribution network upgrades along with infrastructure upgrades at two substations.
When fully built out, the 400MW project is expected to generate enough predictable and emissions free electricity to power 175,000 Scottish homes. The first tidal turbines will be installed over the coming months and the project remains on track to deliver first power in 2H 2016.
The connection required more than £1 million in investments to be made pre financial close of Phase 1A in order for it to be ready on time for the project, Atlantis said.
MeyGen includes one of the longest underground 33kV underground cable runs in the country required to avoid the visual impact of overhead lines.
"The connection of our flagship MeyGen project to the SHEPD distribution network marks a huge technical major milestone for Atlantis and the tidal stream industry more broadly. It has involved years of hard work, persistence, perseverance and determination by our team and all of the contractors and consultants involved in the onshore work scope,” Tim Cornelius, CEO of Atlantis said.“We believe this is now the world’s largest energized 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, which will be a huge event for our company and the global marine power industry.”
Image from Atlantis.
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