Pentland tidal energy project to hit full power

Tidal stream energy firm Atlantis Resources said yesterday its flagship Meygen project in the Pentland Firth is now able to generate at full power after its final turbine was reinstalled.

The first phase of the project – the world’s largest tidal stream project, which is expected to generate electricity for the next 25 years – has seen four turbines installed on the seabed and all are now connected to the grid.

Edinburgh-based Atlantis said total production from the project has topped 2.6 gigawatt hours.

Tim Cornelius, chief executive of the company, yesterday reiterated calls for the UK government to enter talks to provide subsidy support for the company to progress with another phase of the project.

“The industrial opportunities of tidal power for the UK are substantial, but without renewed government support for tidal stream power, the UK is likely to lose jobs and investment overseas,” he warned.