OpenHydro first to generate electricity to U.K. national grid

Dublin, Ireland-based OpenHydro said it’s the first tidal energy company to complete the connection of a tidal turbine to the U.K. national grid and begin generating electricity.

After 18 months of testing at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) off Orkney, Scotland, the company and EMEC officials have confirmed the 250kW Open-Centre Turbine successfully generated power to the U.K.’s electricity grid (see Scotland jockeying to become a leader in marine power.)

The results from this most recent phase of testing will be analyzed in detail, and over the coming months OpenHydro confirmed it will move into extended operation consistent with its test program.

“This is a hugely significant development not only for OpenHydro, but for the future of the tidal energy industry and security of energy supply,” said Brendan Gilmore, Chairman of OpenHydro.

As a result of the successful power generation to the U.K. grid, OpenHydro reiterated additional tenders to supply and install turbines to tidal sites in the Bay of Fundy, Nova Scotia, Canada and Alderney, Channel Islands (see Bay of Fundy to get three test turbines.)

OpenHydro also noted it has begun the manufacture of its next generation 1 MW Open-Centre Turbine for use in the Bay of Fundy and Aldernay.

Turbines for the subsequent projects are being constructed at the company’s design and production facility in Greenore, Co Louth, Ireland.

Last month Bristol, England-based Marine Current Turbines announced it hopes to begin delivering electricity this summer from its 1.2 MW SeaGen system in Northern Ireland to the Dublin-based Electricity Supply Board.

OpenHydro was formed in 2004 following the acquisition of the technology rights to the Open-Centre Turbine. The 26-person company has raised over €50m in funding since 2005 for the development of its turbines.

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