Tocardo will install five tidal turbines in the Eastern Scheldt storm surge barrier (Oosterschelde barrier) to generate clean energy.
According to the company, this installation will be both the largest tidal energy project in the Netherlands as well as the world’s largest commercial tidal installation of five turbines in an array.
The Eastern Scheldt storm surge barrier is the largest of the world-renowned Delta Works series of dams and storm surge barriers, designed to protect the Netherlands from flooding from the North Sea. The location will now deliver the combination of water defences and hydroelectric power.
The fast-flowing water of the Eastern Scheldt estuary makes it the ideal location in the Netherlands for generating tidal energy. The rhythmic ebb and flow of the estuary has very powerful water flows that will be used by Tocardo’s turbines for safe and reliable electricity generation. The turbines will be operational this autumn and have a total capacity of 1.2 MW, which will supply electricity to 1,000 households.
“This project marks an important step in the development of tidal energy. Tidal technology is innovative and could grow into a significant Dutch export product. With our turbines in the Eastern Scheldt storm surge barrier, we can now show the world what tidal energy is all about, namely providing a clean and reliable source of energy that could fulfil 10-20% of the world’s electricity needs,” says Tocardo CEO Hans van Breugel .
For this project, Tocardo is working with co-shareholder Huisman, the designers of the turbines’ suspension structure. Strukton has also been actively involved in the project planning from the outset and will be responsible for project management during installation. Another partner in the installation project is Mammoet, while Zeeland companies Istimewa Elektrotechniek, Van der Straaten and Hillebrand also play an important role in terms of the electro-technical installation and steel structures. Together with these partners, Tocardo has future plans to increase the number of turbines.