MARINE CURRENT TURBINES LTD will display a large model (approx 2m high) of the new “Seagen” twin rotor tidal stream turbine they plan to install in Strangford Narrows, Northern Ireland, in summer 2006. This will be supported by an array of poster displays and possibly a looped Powerpoint presentation showing the Seaflow project, as well as the Seagen project and plans for future commercial projects.

• Artisitic impression of Seagen, the twin rotor tidal stream turbine

MCT is a world leader in its field by a significant margin, which they hope will soon increase further. Seagen will be the main feature of their display as the prototype for the commercial technology MCT is developing. It will probably be the first megawatt sized renewable system in the world truly capable of delivering 1MW consistently and they expect to commission it during the summer of 2006.

Seaflow, which will also be featured, is a 300kW experimental system that has been operated off Lynmouth in Devon since May 2003 and which is the only offshore “wet renewable” (wave or tidal) to have functioned in a truly offshore location for an extended period while achieving its full rated power and exceeding the original design criteria. Although Seaflow is no more than a test rig, MCT hopes and expects that its success will add credibility to their expectations of delivering further success with Seagen (which had the benefit of the experience gained from Seaflow fed into its design). Seagen is already being manufactured and MCT hopes to have pictures of large components to show by March. • Seaflow, a hybrid of a photo and an artistic impression

 Seaflow and Seagen are of interest to potential future customers (utilities and developers) as well as potential investors in this new area of technology. MCT also aims to give credit for the DTI’s support for their programme – they think they have a “success story” and hope, as a result, to be in a position within a few years to make a significant contribution to the government’s targets for CO 2 reduction through the increased use of renewable energy technology. Looking forward to WMTC they hope DTI officials and parliamentarians will visit (bearing in mind the location for the exhibition) – their exhibits are of most interest to delegates attending the MAREC – Marine Renewable Energy stream.

Website : www.marineturbines.comTel. no: +44 (0)20 8997 2572 or +44 (0)117 979 1888