[5][6] The technology developed by MCT works much the same as a submerged windmill, driven by the flow of water rather than air.

[citation needed] Because the blades move relatively slowly (15 rpm)[3] and there are only two, it is unlikely that there will be adverse environmental impacts on fish or other aquatic life.

But since the number of sites around the world where this is possible is finite, they also started developing a fully submersed system which will take advantage of larger scale, but will also be able to be brought to the surface for maintenance.

[8] Prior to setting up MCT, Fraenkel developed and tested a proof of concept tidal stream turbine in the Corran Narrows of Loch Linnhe, Scotland.

[9][10] This turbine was 3.5 m diameter (9.6 m² swept area), with two fixed pitch blades, and was capable of generating 15 kW in a 2.25 m/s current.

[4] However, subsequently a computer problem caused damage to one of the rotors and procuring a replacement took until the end of October 2008.

[citation needed] In a proposed joint project with RWE Npower Renewables, seven of the SeaGen generators, producing about 10 MW at peak, were to be installed off the Skerries, a patch of very fast-moving water off Anglesey in northwest Wales.

[19] MCT, through a subsidiary Sea Generation (Kyle Rhea) Ltd., also planned to develop an array in the Kyle Rhea Narrows between the Isle of Skye and the Scottish Mainland, located just to the north of the Kylereah to Glenelg ferry route.

The company secured an agreement to lease the seabed from the Crown Estate in 2011, although this was later returned by SIMEC Atlantis Energy in 2016.

[22][19] An environmental impact assessment for the project was produced by Royal Haskoning, and an application was submitted to Marine Scotland, however this was later withdrawn.