Seamus O’Regan, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, announced one of Canada’s largest-ever investments in tidal energy – $28.5 million – to Sustainable Marine in Nova Scotia to deliver Canada’s first floating tidal energy platform.
“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,” said O’Regan.
Sustainable Marine developed an innovative floating tidal energy platform called PLAT-I that has undergone rigorous testing on the waters of Grand Passage for nearly two years. A second platform is currently being assembled in Meteghan, Nova Scotia and will be launched in Grand Passage later this year for testing before relocation to the Fundy Ocean Research Centre for Energy (FORCE) in 2021. These platforms will make up the tidal energy array.
The objective of the project is to provide up to nine megawatts of predictable and clean renewable electricity to Nova Scotia’s electrical grid. This will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 17,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year while creating new jobs in the province. The project will also demonstrate the ability to harness tides as a reliable source of renewable electricity to power homes, vehicles and businesses.
Tidal energy a clean, renewable energy source generated by ocean tides and currents has the potential to significantly reduce Canada’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improve local air quality by displacing electricity generated from fossil fuels.
Funding for the project comes from Natural Resources Canada’s Emerging Renewables Power Program, part of Canada’s more than $180-billion Investing in Canada infrastructure plan for public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes and Canada’s rural and northern communities.
“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,” said Elisa Obermann, director of Marine Renewables Canada. “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.”
