Marine Current Turbines has successfully completed the first installation phase of its SeaGen tidal system, marking a major step forward in commercialisation of the technology.
The 1.2 MW generator has been installed in the waters of Strangford Narrows, some 400 m from the coast of Northern Ireland. It will enter commercial operation after a 12-week commissioning phase, supplying electricity to the local grid.
“SeaGen is a hugely exciting project, as well as an historic achievement for both Marine Current Turbines and for renewables in the UK and Ireland,” said Martin Wright, managing director of Marine Current Turbines. “We take great pride and see enormous potential in the technology and hope it will eventually make a significant contribution to the future energy needs of the British Isles, Ireland and beyond.”
The SeaGen unit consists of a twin rotor with a 16 m diameter. It will operate for up to 18-20 hours per day and is the largest tidal stream project to have been built so far.
The quadropod section that sits on the seabed will now be pin piled. Each of the four pins that secure SeaGen will be drilled to a depth of around 9 m.
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