Following the successful deployment of the world’s first community owned tidal turbine in Shetland, Nova Innovation (Scotland) and ELSA (Belgium) have secured funding to build the Shetland Tidal Array – potentially the world’s first in-sea tidal array.
The £3.75M investment package supported by Scottish Enterprise will deliver this pioneering project and accelerate the growth of new projects across Europe. The partnership draws together pan-European partners and brings significant inward investment to Scotland.
The array project will see further development of the existing Bluemull Sound site in Shetland with the deployment of a further five 100kW devices. The array will be developed in two phases with commissioning of the first three devices by the end of 2015.
Energy Minister Fergus Ewing has welcomed plans for the 0.5MW Shetland Tidal Array saying: “ELSA’s decision to invest in Scotland is a testament to the confidence felt by international investors to help develop the huge wave and tidal energy resources from the waters around the Scottish coast. The Scottish Government and its agencies will do everything we can to ensure Scotland benefits from the significant economic opportunities the renewables industry presents.”
Olivier Bontems, Managing Director of ELSA (IDETA) , said: “The partnership between ELSA (IDETA) and Nova Innovation contains all the fundamental elements of a successful partnership: dedicated partners; commitment to the development of renewable energy; strong innovation in GreenTech; and co-operation across European regions. We are very proud to be part of this project and to contribute to the development of green electricity in Shetland and Scotland.”
Simon Forrest, Managing Director of Nova Innovation , said: “This partnership agreement will accelerate Nova Innovation’s technology development; help secure the company’s Scottish manufacturing base and expand the integrated supply chain here in Shetland and Scotland. The pan-European vision of the partnership will open up export markets and deliver real growth for the marine energy sector.”
Seonaid Vass, director of renewables & low carbon technologies at Scottish Enterprise , said: “Scotland is leading the world when it comes to innovation in wave & tidal energies – and Nova’s continued success is a real testament to the strengths in the sector. Seeing this tidal technology developed into in-sea tidal arrays is a significant step forward for the industry, and we will be working closely with Nova to support its work in this and other potential projects.”