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Wednesday, 27 May 2015 11:29

Aecon Group wins $25m Canadian tidal array contract

Two Nova Scotian businesses have secured contracts worth $25 million as part of the first round of procurement awards on the Cape Sharp Tidal project.

Aecon Group Inc. and Lengkeek Vessel Engineering have been selected by Cape Sharp Tidal after a competitive tender process. Cape Sharp Tidal is a joint venture between Emera Inc. and OpenHydro.

Later this year, the project aims to deliver one of the world’s first tidal arrays, with the deployment and grid connection of two 16-metre turbines in the Bay of Fundy, each capable of generating 2MW of electricity.

The Cape Sharp Tidal jv between Emera Inc. and OpenHydro has the objective of deploying a fully grid connected 4MW tidal array in the Bay of Fundy in 2015. The project has the potential to be one of the world’s first multi-megawatt arrays of interconnected tidal turbines, providing energy to over 1,000 customers in Nova Scotia.

Cape sharp hydro1OpenHydro specialises in the design, manufacture and installation of marine turbines generating renewable energy from tidal streams. The company has achieved a number of industry firsts including being the first to deploy a tidal turbine at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC), the first to connect to and generate electricity from tidal streams onto the UK National Grid and the first to successfully demonstrate a method of safely and economically deploying and recovering turbines directly on the seabed.

The deployment and recovery method delivers a step change in the economics of tidal energy. OpenHydro has a project portfolio spanning Canada, France, Northern Ireland, Scotland and the Channel Islands with utility partners including Emera, EDF, Brookfield Renewable Energy Group, SSE Renewables and Alderney Renewable Energy. 

Aecon Group Inc. secured the contract for fabrication of turbine components. It will also develop a 1,150 tonne capacity barge for OpenHydro, which will be used to deploy turbines on to the seabed for the Cape Sharp Tidal project, as well as other future tidal array developments. Lengkeek Vessel Engineering, based in Dartmouth, was awarded the contract for design of the barge.

James Ives, OpenHydro Chief Executive, said:

 “The manufacture of a dedicated deployment barge is a major capital investment for OpenHydro that will also support Cape Sharp Tidal as we progress towards larger commercial scale tidal farms. We are committed to the development of a tidal energy industry in Nova Scotia and these contract awards demonstrate the potential of our industry to generate economic growth.”

“Today’s announcement reinforces Cape Sharp Tidal’s commitment to the province of Nova Scotia and to building a global tidal energy industry in the Bay of Fundy,” said Chris Huskilson, President and CEO of Emera.

In April, the government of Nova Scotia introduced legislation that provides both clarity and strategic direction for the development of marine renewable energy in the province.

The Bay of Fundy’s tidal resource is one of the most powerful in the world. Cape Sharp Tidal is seeking to use the initial demonstration array in 2015 as the first phase of a commercial scale project in the Bay of Fundy, which subject to regulatory approvals, will see the development grow to an output of 300MW.

In April 2015, OpenHydro was awarded $6.3 million for the Cape Sharp Tidal project by Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC), a not-for-profit foundation that finances and supports the development of clean technologies. SDTC funding will support OpenHydro in further refining its technology into a product ready for industrial roll-out.

 “Nova Scotia is well positioned to become a leader in the global tidal industry and today’s announcement highlights some of the significant expertise we’re building within the province,” said Nova Scotia Energy Minister Michel P. Samson.

The Cape Sharp Tidal jv between Emera Inc. and OpenHydro has the objective of deploying a fully grid connected 4MW tidal array in the Bay of Fundy in 2015. The project has the potential to be one of the world’s first multi-megawatt arrays of interconnected tidal turbines, providing energy to over 1,000 customers in Nova Scotia.

 

 

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