Xodus Group gained consent for Europe’s largest tidal energy project in the Pentland Firth at the Scottish Renewables Marine Energy Conference.
As lead consultant in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)for the 86MW Phase 1 MeyGen tidal energy project, Xodus played a pivotal role in the creation of the Environmental Statement (ES). The EIA considered the possible positive or negative impacts of the project on the local environment as well as potential social and economic aspects. The ES represented the culmination of four years’ of consultation, surveys and assessment, with the offshore and onshore applications submitted to the Scottish government and The Highland Council in July 2012.
Phase 1 of the MeyGen project will see construction of up to 61 tidal turbines in the Inner Sound of the Pentland Firth between the Island of Stroma and the northeast coast of the Scottish mainland. It will encompass almost 1.1sq km of fast-flowing water and electricity generated will be exported onshore for transmission to the national grid. 86MW constitutes the first phase of a site that could eventually yield up to 398MW.
Xodus is now well placed to undertake assessments for other similar innovative projects and will share its experiences of the project at the Scottish Renewables Marine Energy Conference.
Xodus is highly experienced in permit applications and environmental impact assessments.
Liz Foubister, marine renewables specialist based in the Orkney office,said: “We are delighted that this significant project has gained development consent. Working closely with MeyGen throughout the EIA has resulted in a smooth approval process with minor clarifications required for the regulators and their advisors during the determination period. This clearly demonstrates the quality of work undertaken by Xodus and the EIA partners. We are continuing to support the MeyGen project and also look forward to fully utilising our broad range of capabilities in the offshore renewables sector on other similar innovative projects.”
Image: The MeyGen tidal energy project will be Europe’s largest tidal energy project.
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