Dutch developer Tocardo is to install a 1MW tidal device next year at Canada’s Bay of Fundy in partnership with Nova Scotia outfit Minas Energy.
Tocardo will deploy four 250kW-rated T2 bi-directional turbines in the Minas Passage in late 2017.
The turbines will be attached to Tocardo’s patented semi-submersible Universal Floating Platform Structure to form a 1MW system held in place by catenary mooring systems.
Minas Energy’s leasehold rights to its berth at the Fundy Ocean Research Center for Energy awarded in 2009, along with a 4MW power purchase agreement awarded in December 2014 will be transferred to Minas Tidal, the new Nova Scotia-based development company.
Minas Tidal’s shareholders also include Canadian company International Marine Energy.
Minas Tidal will start discussions with local supply chain companies including fabricators, marine contractors, system integrators, engineers and scientists in the autumn.
The partnership will also undertake comprehensive stakeholder consultation with First Nations, the fisheries industry, regulators, and communities and complete all regulatory requirements prior to testing.
“We are looking forward to demonstrating Tocardo’s capabilities in North America and hope to make Nova Scotia the centre of our future manufacturing operations,” said Tocardo chief executive Hans Van Breugel.
Image: Tidal turbine (Tocardo)
