SKF has played a significant role in Proteus' ongoing refinement and risk reduction efforts.

SKF has played a significant role in Proteus' ongoing refinement and risk reduction efforts. The two companies have a longstanding partnership, with SKF supporting the specification, development, and supply of the bearings and seals for all the major mechanisms in the turbines. That includes the main rotor bearings, the yaw mechanism that rotates the entire turbine to face the tidal stream, and the pitch system that adjusts the angles of the blades. 
SKF's input has provided complete main rotor shaft assemblies for prototype turbines, for example. Now, the two companies are working together on a project that will involve the supply of complete yaw and pitch assemblies up to the full integration of the powertrain for the next generation of Proteus machines.  
"We don't aspire to build every component in our turbine," says Blaxland. "We have designed a modular system so we can source key components and assemblies from reliable OEMs. “ 
Support from its supply chain will be critical for Proteus as it makes the transition from technology development to deployment at scale. In early 2025, the company installed Japan's first megawatt-class tidal stream turbine. Over the five years from 2026, it aims to install at least 30 larger 3-megawatt turbines at sites in Scotland, France, and Japan, each capable of generating enough energy to power around 3,000 homes. 
 "Thirty turbines is a big step up from two or three," says Blaxland. "And in the five years after that, we aim to install 300 more turbines, another tenfold increase."

"It's really important to bring in the supply chain during the development process because a technology is only as good as its weakest link."