Modular Tidal Energy Array TidalGrid Goes Live in Scotland's Orkney: Underwater Turbine Cluster Powers 30,000 Homes Annually
UK renewable energy company Simec Atlantis Energy has deployed the TidalGrid modular tidal energy array in Scotland's Orkney Islands, comprising 20 underwater turbines with a total installed capacity of 40 MW, generating enough electricity annually to power approximately 30,000 households.
Modular Tidal Energy Array TidalGrid Goes Live in Scotland's Orkney: Underwater Turbine Cluster Powers 30,000 Homes Annually
Simec Atlantis Energy announced on November 24 that the TidalGrid tidal energy array has officially commenced commercial operations in Scotland's Orkney Islands. TidalGrid consists of 20 underwater turbines, each with a rotor diameter of 20 meters, installed 25 to 40 meters below the sea surface, generating electricity as tidal currents spin the turbine blades.
TidalGrid's key innovation is its modular design. Each turbine unit can be installed, maintained, and replaced independently without requiring heavy-lift vessels. The units connect to an onshore substation via submarine cables, with a total installed capacity of 40 MW. Orkney's tidal currents maintain a steady speed of 2 to 4 meters per second, giving TidalGrid a capacity factor of 58% — well above the 35-45% typical of offshore wind.
Tidal energy's greatest advantage is predictability — tidal cycles are governed by lunar gravity, allowing power generation to be forecast accurately decades in advance. This is invaluable for grid dispatch. The UK National Grid has signed a 25-year power purchase agreement with Simec Atlantis at a price of 0.12 pounds per kilowatt-hour. The company plans to expand TidalGrid to other UK waters and the coast of Brittany, France by 2033.
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