First Minister Nicola Sturgeon officially unveiled Atlantis Resources Limited’s (LON:ARL) MeyGen Project at the Nigg Energy Park in Scotland Monday afternoon.
Sturgeon revealed the first turbine for world’s first ever large-scale tidal stream farm as part of a drive to develop Scotland’s marine renewables industry, creating jobs and investment.
.@NicolaSturgeon to unveil the first turbine built for the world's first large scale tidal energy farm later thanks to £23m @scotgov funding
— First Minister (@ScotGovFM) September 12, 2016
The first phase of the project received £23mln funding from the Scottish Government and is expected to further develop the marine renewables industry.
The Andritz Hydro Hammerfest turbine at today's MeyGen unveiling event at Nigg Energy Park. #meygen #tidal #Scotland pic.twitter.com/NfjoDicoqo
— ScotGovMarine (@ScotGovMarine) September 12, 2016
Atlantis’ MeyGen and Sound of Islay projects are expected to generate around £275mln for Scotland’s economy.
During her visit to Nigg Energy Park, the First Minister called on the UK Government to end uncertainty around subsidies for wave and tidal stream projects.
“I am incredibly proud of Scotland’s role in leading the way in tackling climate change and investment in marine renewables is a hugely important part of this.
“There is no doubt that the eyes of the world are on this project which is why the Scottish Government’s investment is so crucially important.”
@atlantisresplc #tidal turbine unveiling today at @Global_Energy_ #nigg energy park pic.twitter.com/aP3OeU25wH
— HI-energy (@hienergyscot) September 12, 2016
This morning, Atlantis reported “unprecedented” worldwide interest in a video introducing its turbines.
Unprecedented world wide interest this morning after the release of this video. Thank you for all if your enquiries!
— Atlantis Resources (@atlantisresplc) September 12, 2016
The four 1.5MW turbines to be installed on Phase 1A of the project weigh almost 200 tonnes each and have rotor diameter of 18 meters. They will be positioned on top of their foundation structures on the quayside at Nigg ready for deployment to the MeyGen site in the Pentland Firth.
Congratulations to @atlantisresplc on unveiling the #MeyGen tidal turbine proud to have been involved #tidalenergy pic.twitter.com/6nuGkS8c3w
— RoyalHaskoningDHV UK (@RHDHV_UK) September 12, 2016
After the unveiling ceremony, the turbines and their foundations, each weighing more than 1,000 tonnes, were to the project site in the Pentland Firth.
In an announcement Monday morning, Atlantis said it remained on track to deliver first power to the grid from MeyGen Phase 1A later this year, which will be a landmark event for the global marine power industry. When completed, the MeyGen project will consist of 269 turbines and generate enough energy to power 175,000 UK homes.