OpenHydro has been selected by the Japanese environment ministry to supply a tidal turbine system for installation in the Naru Strait in Nagasaki prefecture.
Site surveys off the Goto islands will commence later this year with procurement activities, fabrication and cable laying scheduled to start in 2017.
The 2MW Open-Centre turbine will be built in France and shipped to Japan. The subsea base will be manufactured locally by Nippon Steel which will also be responsible for all mobilisation and deployment activities.
The turbine is planned for deployment in 2018. During the first year of operation, intensive tests will be conducted, the results of which will provide a reference for the build-out of commercial-scale tidal arrays in Japan.
The consortium behind the project includes Kyuden Mirai Energy and the Nagasaki Marine Industry Cluster Promotion Association.
OpenHydro has incorporated OpenHydro Technology Japan to manage and oversee the delivery of this demonstration project. It will also lead development activities in relation to future commercial scale schemes.
Chief executive James Ives said the 16-metre turbine will be the first commercial-scale tidal device to be deployed in Japanese waters.
He added: “Through this demonstration project we will work with our consortium partners to foster local skills and expertise.
“In future, we will manufacture devices for commercial scale arrays in Japan, underlining again the potential of the industry to create jobs and economic benefit where significant tidal resource is available.”
Image: Chief commercial officer Brendan Corr on centre-left (OpenHydro)
