Swedish tidal energy developer, Minesto has secured license for the installation of its 0.5MW Deep Green tidal turbine in Holyhead Deep along the Anglesey coast in North Wales, UK.
The Holyhead Deep project marks the start of the commercialization of Minesto’s Deep Green technology, which is claimed to be cost-efficient in areas having low-velocity currents.
Minesto’s marine license was approved by Natural Resources Wales which has paved way for the installation and operation of the tidal turbine. A marine license is needed for all types of offshore construction work and deposits in the British waters.
Minesto has scheduled the installation of the turbine this year and it will feature a single Deep Green device along with seabed foundation and a buoy fastened at surface.
According to the marine energy technology company, Deep Green’s maiden commercial-scale installation will display and prove the company’s unique tidal energy technology prior to its plans to expand Holyhead Deep into its first tidal energy array.
Minesto CEO Dr Martin Edlund said: “We are very pleased to have been awarded consent for our first installation in Holyhead Deep. It’s a great achievement by everyone involved in the application process, and yet another deliverable met as we move towards commercialisation of our Deep Green power plant.”
Prior to the license application approval, a thorough Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was conducted which looked at the possible impacts the project would have on sea life, marine archaeology and cultural heritage among other aspects. The EIA concluded that the impact of Minesto’s project would be insignificant.
In February, Minesto submitted a scoping report to Marine Management Organisation (MMO) and Natural Resources Wales (NRW) in the UK, seeking their scoping opinion for developing an 80MW site in Holyhead Deep.
Image: The South Stack lighthouse on Holy Island, off which the Holyhead Deep is located. Photo: courtesy of Minesto AB.