”Investments in clean energy projects like this one will help ensure Nova Scotia plays a key role in securing Canada’s position as a clean energy superpower,” McKay said during a press briefing attended by Darrell Dexter, Premier of Nova Scotia, Scott Armstrong, Member of Parliament, and John Woods, Chairman of the Fundy Ocean Research Centre for Energy (FORCE).
”Our government is supporting this tidal project, and others like it, to encourage clean energy innovation and help create high-quality jobs for Nova Scotians,” he said.
In conjunction with McKay’s announcement, FORCE revealed that it has also signed an $11 million contract for the production and installation of four sub sea cables in the test site, which is located in a portion of the bay known as the Minas Passage.
Scheduled for installation in 2011, each of the four sub sea cables for the test site has the capacity of 16 MW. Once in place the cables will give the centre the largest offshore transmission capacity of any in-stream tidal-energy site in the world.
The project is Canada's first deployment of commercial-scale tidal turbines. It will investigate how four submarine cables function, including their reliability to deliver electricity to Nova Scotia's power system and the operational functions of the equipment that is connected to the submarine.
The information gathered will be analysed and used to enhance future research for tidal energy and energy regulations. The four cables will give FORCE the largest offshore transmission capacity of any in-stream tidal energy site in the world, with the potential capacity to power over 20,000 homes.
John Woods predicted that by 2011 tidal devices installed at FORCE will be able to deliver power directly to the grid.
“The size of the cable also gives us room for significant growth, if tidal technology proves to be both safe and viable in the Bay of Fundy,” he said.
As part of Canada's Economic Action Plan, the Clean Energy Fund is investing $795 million over five years in clean energy technology development and demonstration.
The Government of Canada is supporting nearly 20 projects under the renewable and clean energy portion of the Clean Energy Fund, totalling up to $146 million. Three carbon capture and storage projects have also been announced, totalling $466 million from the fund.
IT International Telecom is overseeing the transport and installation of the cables in the Bay of Fundy, which are being manufactured by Prysmian in Arco Felice (Italy).
Other industry participants include Nova Scotia Power (with OpenHydro), Alstom (with Clean Current), and Minas Basin Pulp and Power (with Marine Current Turbines).
In addition to the government of Canada, funding partners in the project include the province of Nova Scotia and Encana Corporation, one of North America’s largest natural gas producers.
Speaking specifically of Nova Scotia, Darrell Dexter picked up on McKay’s theme, referring first of the jobs and broader economic development that will come with the successful integration of renewable energy in the country’s power regime.
Then, turning to the project at hand, Dexter said Nova Scotia is, “establishing itself as a leader in tidal energy”.
“We have aggressive renewable targets, feed-in tariffs, clear regulations and an incredible natural resource with the largest transmission capacity in the world,” he said.
For additional information:
Fundy Ocean Research Centre for Energy
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