Technological Milestone in Tidal Energy
The world's largest tidal current power plant is currently being built in northern Scotland: the MeyGen project, operated by SAE Renewables. Technologies from Proteus Marine Renewables and SKF are playing a key role. A remarkable record has now been achieved – a 1.5 MW turbine has operated for six years without any unplanned maintenance or downtime.
Expansion Plans with Ambitious Goals
The existing pilot plant, currently rated at 6 MW, is to be significantly expanded – by at least 59 MW. The goal is to further increase capacity by 2025 and in the following years through investments and technical innovations. A large portion of the rotating systems will be manufactured at the SKF site in Hamburg, while the required rolling bearings will be sourced from Schweinfurt, among other locations.
Reliability under Extreme Conditions
Continuous operation in harsh marine environments demonstrates how resilient modern tidal turbines can be. The MeyGen project thus exemplifies long-term, predictable energy generation from one of the most reliable renewable sources.
A Growth Market with Potential
Ambitious plans for the industrial use of wave and tidal power are underway, particularly in the European Union. Falling generation costs could mean that tidal power will be competitive with nuclear energy in terms of price as early as 2035.
Maintenance Strategies in Focus
One of the biggest challenges remains the development of turbines that operate reliably underwater for many years. Condition-based maintenance concepts, such as those successfully implemented in the MeyGen project, offer a promising solution.
Our Contribution to Industry
As a B2B lubrication partner for SKF and Lincoln, we supply a wide range of components, including high-quality seals and lubrication solutions designed for use under extreme conditions. Discover the right solution for your next project in our range of SKF products – from the maritime industry and mechanical engineering to renewable energies.
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