Two Nova Scotian businesses have secured contracts worth $25 million as part of the first round of procurement awards on the Cape Sharp Tidal project, a 4MW tidal array in the Bay of Fundy.
Aecon Group Inc. and Lengkeek Vessel Engineering have been selected by Cape Sharp Tidal, a joint venture between Emera Inc. and OpenHydro, after a competitive tender process.
Later this year, the project aims to deliver one of the world’s first tidal arrays, with the deployment and grid connection of two 16-metre turbines in the Bay of Fundy, each capable of generating 2MW of electricity.
Aecon Group Inc. secured the contract for fabrication of turbine components. It will also develop a 1,150 tonne capacity barge for OpenHydro, which will be used to deploy turbines on to the seabed for the Cape Sharp Tidal project, as well as other future tidal array developments.
Lengkeek Vessel Engineering, based in Dartmouth, was awarded the contract for design of the barge.
In April, the government of Nova Scotia introduced legislation that provides both clarity and strategic direction for the development of marine renewable energy in the province. Once in place this fall, the Act will ensure projects continue to develop in a way that respects the environment and considers the interests of local communities.
“Nova Scotia is well positioned to become a leader in the global tidal industry and today’s announcement highlights some of the significant expertise we’re building within the province,” said Nova Scotia Energy Minister Michel P. Samson . “I’m pleased that Cape Sharp Tidal has chosen to use two local companies as key suppliers, creating local jobs and positively impacting the Nova Scotia economy.”
Cape Sharp Tidal is seeking to use the initial demonstration array in 2015 as the first phase of a commercial scale project in the Bay of Fundy, which, subject to regulatory approvals, will see the development grow to an output of 300MW.
In April 2015, OpenHydro was awarded $6.3 million for the Cape Sharp Tidal project by Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC), a not-for-profit foundation that finances and supports the development of clean technologies. SDTC funding will support OpenHydro in further refining its technology into a product ready for industrial roll-out.
Image: OpenHydro