Xodus to continue environmental assessment of tidal project in Scotland

London-based marine energy developer MeyGen has retained UK-based energy consultancy Xodus Group to offer further environmental support for the MeyGen Phase 1 tidal energy project.

The project is located in the Inner Sound of the Pentland Firth, off the north coast of Scotland between Caithness on the Scottish mainland and the Island of Stroma.

Environmental impact assessment has been completed for the project’s first phase, where work includes determining the impacts of the project on the local environment as well as potential social and economic aspects.

The contract for environmental assesment of the Phase 1 of the project was secured in March 2011.

MeyGen had submitted the project’s Environmental Statement (ES) to Marine Scotland and the Highland Council in July 2012, for the offshore marine licence application and onshore planning application.

The company expects to receive the approvals in April 2013.

After completion, the MeyGen project is projected to carry a total of 400, 1MW turbines located across 3.5km2, with the capacity to power 400,000 homes.

Xodus Orkney marine renewables specialist Liz Foubister said, "Working with MeyGen has allowed the company to fully utilize its broad range of capabilities in this sector and has enabled the growth of not only our team but also our technical expertise and service offering."

MeyGen is a joint venture between investment bank Morgan Stanley, independent power generator International Power plc and technology provider, Atlantis Resources Corporation.