Nova Scotia Welcomes Local Tidal Work

Energy Minister Barry Barnet welcomed news that a Nova Scotia company will be working on the tidal energy demonstration project in the Bay of Fundy.

Irish developer OpenHydro announced today, April 30, it has selected Dartmouth-based Cherubini Metal Works to build a subsea base which will provide the foundations required to position the OpenHydro turbine on the ocean floor.

"I congratulate Cherubini and OpenHydro for joining our efforts to help Nova Scotia move away from imported, coal-based electricity towards a greener, local supply," said Mr. Barnet.

"Cherubini is also leading the way for more Nova Scotia companies to participate in the project in the future," said Mr. Barnet. "Today's announcement confirms that the skills and expertise earned from years in offshore oil and gas can also be successful in the tidal energy industry."

The $1.7 million contract will help OpenHydro install its first one megawatt-rated turbine. Roughly the height of a two-storey home, the 10 metre diameter turbine may generate enough electricity to power up to 800 homes.

The subsea base is expected create 25 jobs over 4 months, with work expected to be complete by August. Pending environmental approvals, the turbine is expected to go in the water this fall.

"We are very excited to have been selected for this unique and innovative project", said Stephen Ross, general manager of Cherubini Metal Works. "The timing of the contract award is important, not only in creating new jobs here in Nova Scotia, but also in preserving existing jobs during these uncertain economic times."

James Ives, chief executive officer of OpenHydro said, "The Bay of Fundy is one of the world's key tidal sites and we are delighted to have completed this significant milestone toward deploying our first unit there."

"Nova Scotia Power has been harnessing the power of the Bay of Fundy for a quarter century," said Rob Bennett, president and CEO of Nova Scotia Power. "We are excited to be at the forefront of testing the next generation of tidal power technology."

Pending environmental approvals, the three initial candidates for the Fundy tidal project are:

• Nova Scotia Power Inc., partnered with OpenHydro
• Minas Basin Pulp and Power, partnered with Marine Current Turbines
• Clean Current Turbines

The proposed site for all three turbines is in the Minas Passage area of the Bay of Fundy, about 10 kilometres west of Parrsboro.

Research identifies the Bay of Fundy as potentially the best site for tidal power generation in North America, with a world-class resource in close proximity to an existing grid and potential consumers.

Nova Scotia's 2009 Energy Strategy sets a new target of at least 25 per cent renewable electricity supply by 2020. Tidal energy has the potential to help meet that target.