Nova Scotia Announces Tidal Energy Facility Partners
Nova Scotia is one step closer to building North America's first in-stream tidal technology centre to host some of the world's leading devices to harness energy from the world's highest tides. Three candidates, representing technologies from Canada, U.S.A. and Ireland, have cleared the first hurdle in their bid to demonstrate tidal devices in the Bay of Fundy and the province has given Minas Basin Pulp and Power conditional approval to build the host facility.
The facility will be funded by a CAD4.7 million (USD4.6 million) grant from the province's Ecotrust for Clean Air and Climate Change program, a CAD3 million (USD2.95 million) zero-interest loan from EnCana Corporation's Environmental Innovation Fund, and significant contributions from each of the successful developers. The province will also make CAD300,000 (USD295,254) available for environmental and permitting work.
The three candidates in negotiations for first occupancy in the proposed facility are Clean Current (using a Clean Current Mark III Turbine); Minas Basin Pulp and Power Co. Ltd. (UEK Hydrokinetic Turbine) and Nova Scotia Power Inc. (OpenHydro Turbine).
A number of conditions must be met before anything goes in the water, including the completion of:
- a strategic environmental assessment (expected spring 2008)
- site-specific environmental assessment(s)
- provincial and federal permits and approvals
- a contribution agreement between province and developer(s)
- a land lease agreement between province and developer(s)
Research identifies the Bay of Fundy as potentially the best site for tidal power generation in North America, with a world-class resource in close proximity to an existing grid and potential consumers.
Nova Scotia's regulations demand nearly 20 per cent of the province's electricity supply come from renewable sources by 2013. In-stream tidal energy has the potential to help meet that target.
Tidal technology also holds potential future opportunities for Nova Scotia suppliers and manufacturers, many of whom already have experience in Nova Scotia's offshore petroleum industry.
The Nova Scotia departments of Energy, Environment and Labour, and Natural Resources have worked together to develop the project, in support of one of the province's five priorities -- protecting the environment.
