MCT’s SeaGen Produces More than 3GWh of Electricity (UK)

Bristol based Marine Current Turbines (MCT) announced that its 1.2MW SeaGen device has produced more than 3GWh of electricity since its deployment in 2008.

SeaGen is located in Northern Ireland’s Strangford Lough and it is the first of its kind to reach this level.

The company has been progressing on many fronts. During 2011, two UK sites were investigated with positive outcomes. The two planned projects are:

• Kyle Rhea, Scotland – The 8MW project off the Isle of Skye on Scotland’s west coast comprises up to 4 turbines and will have the capacity to generate electricity for up to 8,000 homes in the Highlands & Islands. MCT is aiming to deploy the tidal farm, costing in the region of £40million, by 2014/15.
• Anglesey Skerries, Wales – The proposed tidal energy scheme off Anglesey (north Wales) consists of up to 9 turbines in an area between the Skerries group of rocks and islands and Carmel Head about 1km off the Anglesey coast. The 10MW scheme, which has benefited from funding from the Welsh European Funding Office and has been taken forward by MCT in partnership with RWE npower renewables, will be capable of generating enough power to supply electricity to up to 10,000 homes – approximately 20% of Anglesey’s electricity demand. The estimated project cost is £70million and the target date for deployment and operation is 2015/16.

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Offshore Wind Staff, January 31, 2012; Image: SeaGen