World largest tidal turbine array earmarked for Scotland

Named the Seastar project, funding has come in part from the EU ’s Horizon Europe fund, which has agreed to hand over €20 million to the consortium developing the array, led by Nova Innovation.

The 4MW array will be installed at the EMEC Fall of Warness tidal site in Orkney, which is thought to be home to the second strongest tidal currents in the world.

The array is being considered a showcase for industrial scale manufacturing, operation and maintenance techniques for this kind of installation.

“This project promises to reinforce the collaborative partnership between Scotland and Europe, create high quality green jobs and enhance europe’s position as a global frontrunner in the marine energy supply chain,” says the consortium.

“This is a huge win for Nova and a huge vote of confidence for the tidal energy sector,” said Nova Innovation chief executive Simon forest. “To be awarded this flagship European tidal energy project with turbines made and deployed here in Scotland is testament to our track record of success.

“The Seastar project will see more turbines installed than all other current deployments worldwide combined.”

Nova innovation already has six turbines installed off Shetland, also north of Scotland, which was the world’s first offshore tidal array.

The Seastar consortium includes EMEC, Primo Marine, Wave Venture, Nature Positive, Renewable Risk Advisors, Leask Marine, and DLA Piper. The companies have a wide range of expertise from site management to subsea cable design to offshore operations.