The Scottish Energy Minister has visited the MeyGen project tidal power project in Caithness to see at first-hand the role that Scottish companies in the supply-chain are playing in the construction of the largest planned tidal development project in the world.
With 398 megawatts of total installed capacity when fully constructed in the Pentland Firth, Scotland, the MeyGen array will consist of 269 submerged tidal turbines.
Fergus Ewing visited the site to witness first-hand the onshore and offshore construction works taking place, and spoke to infrastructure team on the ground about the engineering aspects of this visionary marine project.
The Minister said: “This is an exciting, first-of-a-kind project. I am pleased to be here in Caithness to meet the team and see how the onshore construction works are progressing.
“When fully operational this tidal stream array could generate enough electricity to power the equivalent of 175,000 homes.”
“I am heartened to see the involvement of home-grown companies including JGC, Global Energy Group, John Gunn & Sons Ltd, James Fisher and Leask Marine, and I very much hope there will be further opportunities for the Scottish supply chain.
Cameron Smith, Director of Project Development at Atlantis Resources, said: “The MeyGen project represents the best of what Scotland has to offer when it comes to the energy infrastructure development: an integrated supply chain, state of the art manufacturing facilities, and world class engineering skills.”
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