A new ‘state-of-the-art’ tidal energy generation project located off the Isle of Wight in the UK has been given the go ahead for operation.

A new ‘state-of-the-art’ tidal energy generation project located off the Isle of Wight in the UK has been given the go ahead for operation.

The Marine Management Organisation approved a license late last week to operate the Perpetuus Tidal Energy Centre (PTEC), with the 30MW project expected to be fully operational within the next three years.

Operated as a joint venture between private company Perpetuus Energy Ltd and the Isle of Wight Council, the purpose of PTEC is to operate commercially a range of different leading turbine technologies, with the aim of bringing international companies to the area and accelerating the UK’s adoption and understanding of tidal energy. Up to 60 turbines could be deployed at PTEC, producing clean, predictable electricity to the UK’s electricity grid.

Royal HaskoningDHV was appointed to lead PTEC’s consenting works, including the environmental impact assessment (EIA), with the firm working closely with IT Power who delivered the Front End Engineering Design (FEED) for PTEC’s core infrastructure.