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Description
ScottishPower Renewables is at an early stage in investigating the potential for a 95 megawatt tidal project off the north coast of Caithness at Duncansby. This site was secured as part of The Crown Estate’s Pentland Firth leasing round and will be developed in phases. It is anticipated that phase one of this project will have a capacity of up to 30 megawatts and the aim is to develop up to a further 65 megawatts of cleaner greener energy after this initial stage is complete.
95 tidal devices will be deployed, each consisting of a tripod base support structure, modular nacelle, hub and blades which are connected onshore via a subsea umbilical. The rotor diameter will be 16-23m and the turbine will have a total maximum height of 28-39m.
A review of various foundation and batch deployment options has confirmed that the tripod base arrangement is the optimum approach. Due to the energetic waters of the Pentland Firth, the foundations may require to be pinned to the seabed as an alternative to gravity based anchoring.
Location
The area under consideration is off Ness of Duncansby, in the waters to the north of the Scottish mainland. There are piers at Gills Bay and Ness of Duncansby which are accessed via local roads connecting to the coastal A836. The Gills Bay (Caithness) to St Margarets Hope (north shores of South Ronaldsay) ferry route passes to the north of the Duncans by site. ScottishPower Renewables223.2. South Ronaldsay is the nearest Orkney Island to Scotland, being approximately 10km (6 miles) across the Pentland Firth from John O'Groats and lies within Orkney Islands. There are no nearby surf beaches.
Licensing Information
There is little known about the consenting or licensing information of this project. The regulating body last known is The Scottish Government - Marine Scotland Licensing Operations Team (offshorerenewableenergy@scotland.gsi.gov.uk)
Project Progress
Scoping Report: 21/08/2012
Scoping Opinion: 28/02/2013
Key Environmental Issues
Key environmental considerations and potential effects outlined in the Proposed Ness of Duncansby Tidal Array Request for a Scoping Opinion