Magallanes install ATIR Tidal Turbine at EMEC Falls of Warness
Published on February 18 2019
Leask Marine would like to join The European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in welcoming Spanish tidal energy developer Magallanes Renovables to their tidal test site at the Fall of Warness in Orkney, Scotland.
The successful installation of their second generation (2G) 2MW tidal platform ‘ATIR’ took place on 16th February and marks a major milestone in the Ocean_2G project, which aims to test, validate and pre-certify Magallanes’ device.
The ATIR was built and launched in Vigo, Spain in 2017, where it underwent a structured test programme to optimise the system, ensuring the device performs at its best.
After this successful period of testing, the ATIR was towed from Spain to Orkney in September 2018.
After months of careful planning and close working between the project partners Leask Marine was able to successfully execute the operation at the weekend.
The ATIR will now undergo commissioning on site prior to being connected to the national grid.
Douglas Leask, Managing Director of Leask Marine, oversaw the operations:
“The successful installation of the ATIR at the Fall of Warness was due to careful planning and an effective working relationship between Leask Marine, Magallanes Renovables and EMEC,” he said.
“Marine operations at this time of year can be challenging, however by utilising the weather windows and skills of the team, it allowed this successful operation to take place. This also proves that marine operations don’t have to be restricted to summer months.
“Orkney is seen as a peripheral area by some, but we see it as the centre of this innovative and world leading sector. Leask Marine’s diversification into renewables has been key to the delivery of this type of operation. We are delighted to have been part of progress thus far and look forward to being part of more operations here in the future.”
