Orkney Isles light up with Scotrenewables tidal power

 
Scotrenewables Tidal Power’s SR2000 has produced 116MWh in less than a week of continuous generation, providing nearly 7% of Orkney’s electricity demand.

The power was produced from the 2MW floating tidal generator during ongoing trials at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC).

The SR2000 output’s, achieved last month, met the electricity demand of approximately 7% of the entire Orkney Islands, with shorter periods where that contribution exceeded 25% of demand over a seven day period, the Scottish-based tidal energy developer said.

Andrew Scott, CEO of Scotrenewables, said: “The SR2000 has met, and in many instances exceeded expectations, and combined with the fact this is the world’s most powerful operating tidal turbine it means we’re making a material contribution to the generation mix in Orkney with just this single unit.”

Paul Wheelhouse, Scottish government Minister for Business, Innovation and Energy, added: “I visited Orkney a year ago just as Scotrenewables was starting its test programme for the SR2000 turbine at EMEC. I am delighted to hear that the SR2000 has passed the seven day continuous generation test with flying colors and is exporting an impressive amount of power to the Orkney grid.”

The SR2000 was launched in May 2016 from the Harland & Wolff shipyard in Belfast, before being towed to Orkney.

The floating tidal energy turbine was engineered and built with a 16 meter rotor diameter for each of its 1MW turbines.

The SR2000 project has been supported by Scottish Enterprise’s WATERS II scheme along with investments from Scotrenewables’ shareholders which include ABB, DP Energy, Fred Olsen, Total and Scottish government via the Renewable Energy Investment Fund (REIF).