Funding - part 119 Jul 2022 18:57
The UK government should increase its financial support for tidal energy projects such as MeyGen off the Caithness coast, according to an industry expert.
Jeremy Smith of QED Naval says more must be done to use tidal power and allow the sector to compete with other forms of renewable energy, such as wind, and help boost the country's energy security.
Last week the UK government awarded multiple contracts (totalling £395 million) for onshore wind, offshore wind, solar, tidal energy and other forms of renewable energy. It is the first time tidal power projects, including MeyGen in the Pentland Firth, have won contracts through the government’s competitive auction process.
The decision was hailed as "outstanding news for the far north" by local MP Jamie Stone. It means MeyGen will be able to significantly increase its output by 28 megawatts – from six at present to 34 megawatts under the next phase of its operation in the Inner Sound, between Stroma and the Caithness coast.
More could be done for tidal energy projects such as MeyGen, says industry expertMore could be done for tidal energy projects such as MeyGen, says industry expert
Mr Smith, a naval architect with 20 years' experience within the defence research and marine industry, says: "The government has certainly shown its confidence in the sector which is a huge milestone in itself, but now we need a long-term financial commitment that will allow the sector to compete commercially and offer a solution that is not only reliable and sustainable, but also more economically beneficial for the UK’s supply chain.
"As an island nation, the UK’s tides could provide 12 per cent of the country’s electricity demand. Tidal energy therefore has an exceptionally important part to play in the renewable energy mix since it is the only form of renewable energy that is predictable – it has four peak power periods during the day, every day, 365 days a year, guaranteed.
"It doesn’t rely on weather conditions either. It is abundant and this capacity, coupled with its reliability, could provide a baseload replacing gas generation and securing energy supplies."
QED, a renewables specialist company founded by Mr Smith, has patented a Subhub tidal platform – an environmentally friendly submersible foundation designed to support the commissioning, testing, transportation and installation of tidal turbines to the seabed. It could cut costs of deploying and maintaining turbines by 60 per cent and improve yields by up to 48 per cent.
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