📋 Project Overview
MeyGen is the world's largest tidal stream project by consent — 398 MW fully consented in the Inner Sound of the Pentland Firth. Phase 1A (4 turbines, 6 MW) has been operational since 2018 and has generated over 40 GWh of tidal energy. The Pentland Firth is one of the most powerful tidal races in the world, with spring tide flows exceeding 5 m/s. Full development of the 398 MW consent would require significant further investment.
Site Schematic
Schematic diagram — not to scale. Illustrative layout based on project specifications.
⚡ Key Facts
World's largest tidal stream project by consent at 398 MW
Phase 1A has been generating continuously since 2018
Located in one of the world's most powerful tidal streams
Turbines sit on concrete gravity base foundations on the seabed
The full 398 MW would include 269 turbines in future phases
Tidal energy here is predictable 100 years in advance
Average tidal speed: 2.5 m/s (spring tides: 4–5 m/s)
🔧 Technical Specifications
| Capacity (MW) | 6 MW |
| No. of turbines/units | 4 |
| Turbine / unit model | Atlantis AR1500 (3 × 1.5 MW) + Andritz Hydro Hammerfest |
| Unit capacity | 1.5 MW each |
| Rotor diameter | 18 m |
| Foundation type | Gravity base (seabed mounted) |
| Water depth | 25–33 m |
| Tidal velocity | Up to 5 m/s (neap to spring) |
| Distance from shore | 1.8 km |
| Annual output | 18 GWh/year |
| Homes powered | 4,000 homes |
🔌 Grid Connection & Infrastructure
| Grid connection point | Dounreay Grid substation, Caithness |
| CfD held | Yes — |
🏢 Development & Ownership
| Developer | Atlantis Energy / SIMEC Atlantis Energy |
| Owner / operator | SIMEC Atlantis Energy |
| Year consented | 2014 |
| Commissioned / target | 2018 |
| Capex estimate | ~£51 million (Phase 1A) |
| Location | Inner Sound of the Pentland Firth, between Caithness and Stroma Island |
| Region | Scotland |
| Coordinates | 58.58°N, 3.21°W |
📅 Project Timeline
2011
Crown Estate lease awarded for Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters
2014
Marine licence and planning consent for Phase 1A
2016
First turbine (AR1500) installed on seabed
Apr 2018
Phase 1A fully operational — 4 turbines
2022
Phase 1B (5 additional turbines) under discussion
🌿 Environmental & Planning
The Pentland Firth is not a designated marine protected area. Detailed underwater noise monitoring during installation. No evidence of mammal avoidance behaviour. Scour around gravity bases creates new reef habitat.