ELSA and Nova Innovation have formed Shetland Green Electricity Ltd to develop the Shetland Tidal Array. The 0.5MW array will consist of five 100kW devices and will be deployed in the Bluemull Sound in 2015/16. The array forms the engineering extension of the existing Nova 30 project which was successfully deployed at the same site early in 2014. In addition, the partners will begin work on potential tidal projects across Europe.
The project’s £3.75 million investment package, supported by Scottish Enterprise, will help to deliver the project while also accelerating the growth of new projects across Europe. The array project will also see further development of the existing Bluemull Sound site in Shetland involving the deployment of a further five 100kW devices. It will be developed in two phases with commissioning of the first three devices by the end of 2015.
“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” said Scottish Energy Minister Fergus Ewing. “The Scottish Government and its agencies will do everything we can to ensure Scotland benefits from the significant economic opportunities the renewables industry presents.”
Simon Forrest, Managing Director of Nova Innovation added that the partnership agreement will accelerate Nova Innovation’s technology development; help secure the company’s Scottish manufacturing base and expand the integrated supply chain 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.
ELSA is a Green Energy company based in Tournai (Belgium) and is part of the IDETA Group. It has a strong track record in energy projects with interests in biomass, solar, wind, hydro-power and demand side infrastructure and is expanding its energy mix and portfolio to include the development of tidal power projects in the UK to complement its investments across Europe.
Nova Innovation Ltd is a Scottish-based tidal technology company, delivering tidal power for communities, businesses and utilities. Building on years of research and development in the marine renewables sector, the team has developed a technology that enables clients to unlock the value of tidal resources at commercially competitive rates.
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