Fair Head Tidal is planning to submit a marine licence application this summer for the proposed 100MW tidal energy scheme located off the north Antrim coast of Northern Ireland, near Ballycastle.

The team behind the Fair Head Tidal Energy Park, a joint venture between Cork-based DP Energy and Bluepower NV, a Belgium company whose shareholders include the offshore contractor, DEME, and utility, Nuhma, has concluded a series of extensive surveys offshore and onshore. The results of these surveys are now being assessed and will be included in the marine licence application to install an array of tidal turbines.

Clodagh McGrath, DP Energy’s project manager, said: “The Fair Head Tidal development strategy is to progress with a 100MW offshore consent application and build the project out in phases, planned to commence in 2018. In the last three years we have engaged with a wide range of project stakeholders including local communities and government departments.”

“We will of course continue this engagement process as we finalise our plans and look forward to hosting more local open days this spring before we complete our application. At these open days we will be sharing details on the surveys completed, the proposed tidal energy technologies and how we plan to bring the energy ashore and connect into the national electricity grid.”

Once fully commissioned it is expected that the development will generate enough electricity to power the equivalent of 70,000 homes.

McGrath added: “We will ensure that further details on the open days are communicated nearer the time. The open days will be attended by the project team who will be able to explain our plans and respond to any questions.”