EMEC has reported that a lot of progress has been made since the beginning of the August on the unprecedented number of tidal energy devices using the newly extended Hatston pier. The combination of good neaps and good weather windows has enabled a flurry of activity at the Fall of Warness tidal test site, with tidal developers making considerable progress over the last week.
The height of site activity was witnessed on Wednesday morning when nine vessels were working on site, supported by a crew transfer boat and a small accommodation vessel. Green Marine’s GM700L Heavy Lift Gantry Barge – with a lift capacity of 700T – was also present as it commenced work on the installation of ANDRITZ Hydro Hammerfest’s 1MW tidal turbine, while Voith Hydro carried out preparatory work for the imminent installation of their tidal turbine (currently situated at Hatston Pier). Other site activity included electrical commissioning of OpenHydro’s recently installed Open-Centre Turbine, and on-going testing of Scotrenewables SR250 device.
With approximately 70 people working on site, all operations were carried out safely thanks to the combined effort and collaboration between the four tidal energy developers and others working on site.
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Press release, September 02, 2013; Image: Andritz Hydro Hammerfest