Atlantis Resources has stuck a deal for a “word first” in renewable energy.
The firm has reached an agreement between its MeyGen project and a nearby wind farm development to facilitate access to the distribution grid for other renewable energy projects.
Lochend Wind Energy Limited (“Lochend”) 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. The deal combines the power of tidal and wind power output.
Tim Cornelius, chief executive 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.
“Sharing transmission assets in this way and capitalising on the predictability of tidal power will ensure that, in the long term, our energy needs are better served whilst also maximising access to a constrained network in the immediate future.
“Today’s announcement demonstrates the additional value of our secured grid capacity around the UK and the importance of tidal power as a predictable cornerstone of a diverse and sustainable electricity mix. Whilst we cannot claim tidal power is able to lend the same predictability to the current political climate, we are pleased to say that our project remains unaffected by recent events. We also welcome the Government’s acceptance of the Fifth Carbon Budget at the level recommended by the Committee on Climate Change, which sends a clear signal and further demonstrates the UK’s ongoing commitment in meeting its long term climate change targets. We look forward to delivering first power to the grid later this year.”
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