RES Offshore announces that applications made on behalf of Argyll Tidal Ltd to Marine Scotland and Argyll & Bute Council have recently been approved.

The marine license and planning consent allows for the installation of a single, up to 500kW, demonstration tidal device off the Mull of Kintyre, a project which would have the ability to provide up to 400 homes with electricity.

The device has been developed by Strathclyde University spin-out company Nautricity Ltd and is known as CoRMaT (Contra Rotating Marine Turbine). The moored tidal system is currently being tested at the European Marine Energy Centre’s (EMEC’s) tidal site in Shapinsay Sound, Orkney.

Dougie Watson, RES Offshore’s Marine Project Development Manager said, “We were delighted to be awarded the contract to manage the site development on behalf of Argyll Tidal Ltd. Drawing on our extensive experience in the field we were able to obtain offshore and onshore consents and look forward to seeing CoRMaT achieve first power in 2015.”

As part of this process RES Offshore managed the EIA process; undertook wave climate and tidal resource modelling; scoped and managed offshore survey work; provided engineering, technical, electrical and grid support; undertook landowner discussions and also provided civil engineering design support for the onshore elements of the project.

Press Release, June 25, 2014; Image: Nautricity