The government of Canada is helping to finance the country’s first tidal energy array being developed by Sustainable Marine in Nova Scotia.
Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources Seamus O’Regan has unveiled investment of C$28.5m (€18.4m) to help deliver the Plat-I floating tidal energy platform.
Plat-I has undergone testing on the waters of Grand Passage for nearly two years and a second platform is currently being assembled in Meteghan and will be launched later this year for testing before relocation to the Fundy Ocean Research Centre for Energy (FORCE) in 2021.
Both platforms will make up the tidal energy array.
The objective of the project is to provide up to 9MW of predictable and renewable electricity to Nova Scotia’s electrical grid.
The funding comes from Natural Resources Canada’s Emerging Renewables Power Program, part of Canada’s more than C$180bn Investing in Canada infrastructure plan for public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes and Canada’s rural and northern communities.
O’Regan said: “We are harnessing the power of our tides to power our homes, our businesses and our communities. This is how we build our clean energy future.”
Nova Scotia Minister of Energy and Mines Derek Mombourquette said: “This investment will not only help propel the tidal energy industry forward in Nova Scotia, it also highlights how it can drive innovation that can lead to new jobs.
“It is a new and innovative approach to generating tidal energy that once again shows that Nova Scotia is the right place to explore the potential of this industry.”
Sustainable Marine chief executive Jason Hayman said: “Nova Scotia has one of the best natural resources in the world for tidal energy and provides the infrastructure and support for companies looking to grow their business.
“Having a demonstration site such as FORCE enables us to accelerate the commercialization of our technology.
“This investment will not only advance our tidal energy technology but also provide a source of clean renewable energy that has a positive impact on rural coastal communities and the environment.”
Marine Renewables Canada executive director Elisa Obermann said: “Tidal energy is a prime example of a sector and clean technology that can spur economic development while helping Canada achieve its goals to reduce carbon emissions and act on climate change.
“Sustainable Marine has already successfully engaged local suppliers in its Grand Passage project, and this new project at FORCE creates more opportunities, particularly for firms with experience from other marine industries such as offshore oil and gas that are looking to diversify their business into renewable energy.”