Xodus Celebrates Development Consent for MeyGen Tidal Energy Project (UK)

Independent, international energy consultancy Xodus Group is delighted to hear the announcement of consent for Europe’s largest tidal energy project in the Pentland Firth at the Scottish Renewables Marine Energy Conference.

As lead consultant in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the 86MW Phase 1 MeyGen tidal energy project, Xodus played a pivotal role in the creation of the Environmental Statement (ES). The EIA considered the possible positive or negative impacts of the project on the local environment as well as potential social and economic aspects. The ES represented the culmination of four years’ of consultation, surveys and assessment, with the offshore and onshore applications submitted to the Scottish Government and The Highland Council in July 2012.

Phase 1 of the MeyGen project will see the construction of up to 61 tidal turbines in the Inner Sound of the Pentland Firth between the Island of Stroma and the north east coast of the Scottish mainland. It will encompass almost 1.1km2 of fast flowing water and electricity generated will be exported onshore for transmission to the national grid.  86MW constitutes the first phase of a site that could eventually yield up to 398MW.

Xodus is now well placed to undertake assessments for other similar innovative projects and will share its experiences of the project at the Scottish Renewables Marine Energy Conference which is taking place in Inverness on the 16th and 17th of September.

Xodus is highly experienced in permit applications and environmental impact assessments. Through its fully integrated offering, it also delivers complete commercial solutions for renewable projects through its extensive suite of capabilities from engineering and project management to technical safety and risk management services.

Liz Foubister, marine renewables specialist based in the Orkney office, said: “We are delighted that this significant project has gained development consent.  Working closely with MeyGen throughout the EIA has resulted in a smooth approval process with minor clarifications required for the regulators and their advisors during the determination period. This clearly demonstrates the quality of work undertaken by Xodus and the EIA partners. We are continuing to support the MeyGen project and also look forward to fully utilising our broad range of capabilities in the offshore renewables sector on other similar innovative projects.”

Xodus now boasts more than 25 offshore renewable energy clients and is committed to developing its low carbon and renewables business. The Xodus Orkney office is supporting wave and tidal technology developers at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney and a number of the Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters (PFOW) developers looking to develop commercial scale wave and tidal energy projects. The Orkney team in collaboration with 50 colleagues across the UK, are working on a number of local and international projects to help make wave, tidal and offshore wind power a sustainable reality.

Ed Rollings, MeyGen’s Environment and Consent Manager, added: “As Europe’s largest consented tidal energy project, we are proud that the culmination of so many years of research, assessment and consultation has finally paid off and we look forward to the next stage of this exciting venture.  

“Xodus, as our lead EIA consultant, have provided their experience, knowledge and capabilities in this field to help facilitate the smooth progress of this significant project for the marine energy industry.”

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Press release, September 16, 2013; Image: MeyGen