Edinburgh tidal developer Nova Innovation has deployed the first 100kW turbine that forms part of the Shetland Tidal Array in the Bluemull Sound.
Nova said the first M100 turbine of the array is now delivering power to the Shetland grid following operations and testing.
The Shetland Tidal Array is a joint enterprise between Nova and Belgian renewables developer Elsa. Phase 1 of the array consists of three M100 turbines, with two more turbines planned in following phases.
Nova expects to deploy the fourth and fifth units of the £3.75m Shetland Tidal Array, which has £1.9m of grant and loan funding from Scottish Enterprise, by 2018.
Nova director Simon Forrest said it has delivered a project with over 80% Scottish supply chain content, and over 25% of the spend in Shetland.
“This milestone represents a huge achievement and the culmination of a tremendous amount of work from our team in Scotland and Belgium. I would especially like to thank Scottish Enterprise and Elsa for their support and advice which has enabled us to build such a strong, pan-European project rooted in Scotland,” said Forrest.
Scottish energy minister Fergus Ewing added: “I would like to congratulate Nova Innovation for installing the first Nova M100 tidal turbine successfully and producing grid-connected power.
“This is a result of a lot of hard work and support from all involved including the Scottish Government’s enterprise agency, Scottish Enterprise and the Renewable Energy Investment Fund.”
Scottish Renewables senior policy manager Lindsay Roberts said: “Nova Innovation’s success in Shetland shows not only that Scotland’s marine energy industry is one of the most technologically advanced in the world, but that the resource available off our shores is deserving of the tireless research which has been carried out over many decades to capture the power of the sea.”
In a separate development, Nova Innovation has joined marine trade association Ocean Energy Europe.
“We are very happy to welcome Nova Innovation as the newest member of Ocean Energy Europe,” said OEE chief executive Remi Gruet.
“Tidal stream is having a real ‘break-out’ year in 2016, with flagship deployments due in Scotland and France – we are witnessing the birth of an industry,” he added.
Image: M100 tidal turbine (Nova Innovation)
