Tocardo Tidal Turbines has announced plans to install an array of 5 tidal turbines in the Eastern Scheldt storm surge barrier.
The Eastern Scheldt storm surge barrier is designed to protect the Netherlands from flooding from the North Sea.
The location will now deliver the combination of water defences and hydroelectric power.
Tocardo’s five T2 tidal turbines are expected to be operational this autumn and have a total capacity of 1.2 MW.
The array will supply electricity to 1.000 households, Tocardo’s press release reads.
Hans van Breugel , Tocardo’s CEO, said: “This project marks an important step in the development of tidal energy. 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 percent of the world’s electricity needs.”
For this project, Tocardo is working with co-shareholder Huisman, the designer of the turbines’ suspension structure. Other partners of the project include Strukton that will be responsible for project management during installation, Mammoet, Istimewa Elektrotechniek, Van der Straaten and Hillebrand.
According to Tocardo, the company, together with its partners, is planning to increase the number of turbines in the future.
The province of Zeeland, where the Eastern Scheldt barrier is located, has provided a significant financial contribution to the project, Tocardo’s press release reads.
Ben de Reu , Representative for the Zeeland Province, said: “We are the only province with land in the sea, which is why tidal energy is such a good match for us. The knowledge that we’re building here can be used in other delta regions across the globe.”
The project has also received funding from the European Regional Development Fund, the Dutch government and the province of Zeeland as part of the Operational Programme for Zuid-Nederland.
Earlier this year, Tocardo installed an array of three T1 100 kW tidal turbines at Afsluitdijk, Den Oever.
The array has been connected to the Dutch grid, and is expected to power 100 homes.
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Image: Tocardo