Atlantis has reached an agreement between its majority owned MeyGen project and a nearby wind farm development to facilitate access to the distribution grid for other renewable energy projects.
The first phase of the MeyGen project was recently connected to the 33kV Ness of Quoys distribution network and is on track to deliver first power in the second half of 2016.
The part of the distribution network to which MeyGen is now connected is constrained, such that there is no additional capacity for other generators until wider transmission upgrade works are completed over the next few years.
However, as a result of the predictable and cyclical nature of tidal generation, there is an opportunity for other energy projects to gain access to the grid at those times when the MeyGen project is not generating at maximum output, the company explained.
Lochend Wind Energy is developing a 4 turbine wind farm close to MeyGen’s onshore site in Caithness, and Lochend has reached agreement with MeyGen to allow these wind turbines to deliver electricity to the grid whenever the MeyGen tidal project is not making full use of the available export capacity.
Tim Cornelius , CEO of Atlantis, said: “We believe this to be a world first, and to show that the predictability of generation from the tides can also benefit other forms of renewable energy by allowing those generators to accurately forecast and access spare grid capacity. Tidal power makes for more efficient grid use and management, and we are delighted to have been able to assist a local wind farm in getting connected.”