Province Plans for Future Tidal Energy Testing

Nova Scotia is inviting expressions of interest from tidal developers around the world to participate in the Bay of Fundy tidal energy project in the future.

The province released the invitation today, March 24, designed to gauge developers' interest and readiness to demonstrate a tidal device as spots become available at FORCE (Fundy Ocean Research Centre for Energy).

"Tidal energy has the potential to become a key part of our future energy mix," said Energy Minister Bill Estabrooks. "But Nova Scotians want to see how these devices interact with the Bay of Fundy before considering larger development.

"FORCE is already home to one tidal technology, with two more planned. Over time, we hope a number of different companies will participate at FORCE -- it's an opportunity to prove their device at the greatest test site in the world. This invitation is designed to get a sense of who may be a part of the next wave of development."

Tidal energy projects require time to plan, approve, finance and build. The expression of interest will start that process for future FORCE participants.

The invitation includes potential projects inside the approved FORCE site boundary in the Minas Passage only. The invitation is for information purposes so companies that don't apply will not be excluded from future selection processes.

Developers seeking more information should contact Sandra Farwell at the Department of Energy by telephoning 902-424-1700, or e-mailing [email protected] .

The invitation for expressions of interest is available at www.gov.ns.ca/tenders .

FORCE is Canada's leading centre for in-stream tidal energy research and technology, located in the Bay of Fundy. It is a public/private partnership that enables developers, regulators, scientists and academics to study the performance and interaction of tidal energy turbines with the Bay of Fundy environment. Estimates of the potential energy resource in the area range from 300 megawatts up to 2,500 megawatts (enough to power about 800,000 homes).

More information on the tidal project is available at www.fundyforce.ca .

FOR BROADCAST COPY:

Nova Scotia is inviting expressions of interest from tidal

developers around the world to participate in the tidal energy

project in the Bay of Fundy in the future.

The province released the invitation today, (March 22nd) to

gauge developers interest and readiness to demonstrate a tidal

energy device as spots become available at FORCE -- the Fundy

Ocean Research Centre for Energy.

Energy Minister Bill Estabrooks says FORCE is already home

to one tidal technology, with two more planned. Mr. Estabrooks

says this invitation is designed to get a sense of who may be a

part of the next wave of development.

The application is available at W-W-W dot G-O-V dot N-S dot

C-A slash tenders.

More information on the tidal project is available at

fundy force DOT C-A.