Tidal Energy Project in Northern Ireland to be Built by ESBI and Marine Current Turbines

ESB International (ESBI), an international energy and engineering consultancy company and Marine Current Turbines (MCT), a marine current and tidal stream energy company, have signed an agreement to formulate the preliminary phase of a 100 MW tidal energy project away from the Antrim coast in Northern Ireland.

Both the companies will jointly work to present a proposal for the project to the impending Marine Leasing Round in Northern Ireland to obtain an accord for rental from the Crown Estate to officially accept the project. On successful approval of the proposal the first phase of the project will incorporate SeaGen turbine manufactured by MCT and start its commercial production by the year 2018. The project is anticipated to help Northern Ireland in reaching its target of 300 MW tidal energy power production by the year 2020 as stipulated in the deliberated action plan of Northern Ireland’s Department of Enterprise, Trade & Investment. At present ESB operates a SeaGen 1.2 MW wind turbine and produces power from Strangford Lough location from the year 2008. The SeaGen is one of the principal and potent tidal stream turbines currently available and is the only turbine that operates and produces power for the clients.

ESBI is presently preparing the environmental background report for the project to assess the environmental impact. The company has also ventured into a survey on tidal power off the coast of Antrim during the summer to analyze the data for further assessments during the coming months.