The Cape Sharp Tidal project in Canada’s Nova Scotia has completed two significant milestones as it prepares for the next phase of its demonstration project.
The joint venture between Emera and OpenHydro has finished installing its subsea power cable and launched its deployment barge.
It was completed in a single tidal cycle, while holding position over Cape Sharp Tidal’s berth site at the Fundy Ocean Research Centre for Energy (FORCE) near Parrsboro, Nova Scotia.
Helped by marine operations partner Atlantic Towing, Cape Sharp Tidal deployed 300 metres of power and fibre-optic data cable from a specially-outfitted barge.
The existing 16MW cable was recovered and lifted and the whole system put back on the sea floor where the cables will stay until spring 2016 when the turbines are scheduled for deployment.
OpenHydro also designed the Scotia Tide barge, the largest heavy lift capacity barge in Atlantic Canada, which was deployed for the first time around the Pictou Harbour at the weekend.
It is 64 metres long, 37 metres wide, weighs 650 tonnes, has a 1,150-tonne carrying capacity and is purpose-built for deployment and recovery operations. The Scotia Tide has three heavy-lift winches that give it a unique capacity to lower and raise turbines from the sea floor.
Emera president Chris Huskilson said: “Every success of Cape Sharp Tidal manufacturing and operations is an important step toward building a tidal energy sector in Nova Scotia.
“The safe and successful cable installation and the made-in-Nova Scotia Scotia Tide barge launch are two of the more significant milestones.”
OpenHydro’s chief executive James Ives said: “Nova Scotians continue to impress with their expertise in ship-building, industrial manufacturing and as experienced marine operators.
“The barge launch and the cable installation are both Nova Scotia-made solutions that get us one step closer to a successful tidal array in this first demonstration phase of the Cape Sharp Tidal project.”
Image: OpenHydro barge (OpenHydro)
Cables laid at Cape Sharp Tidal
Tidal project in Canada hits two landmarks as Scotia Tide barge launched
By EBS