The Cardiff-based marine renewables company Tidal Energy Ltd has entered into a partnership with the Port of Milford Haven in order to develop an operating base serving the sea trials of its DeltaStream demonstration unit in Ramnsey Sound, Pembrokeshire. An operations centre will also be established during the trial period.
“We are very excited to be working with the Port of Milford Haven to progress our DeltaStream demonstration project, as well as our St Davids Head tidal array project” said Chris Williams, Development Director for Tidal Energy Ltd. “They are one of the UK’s leading energy ports and have excellent facilities and capabilities in close proximity to both our tidal energy sites in Pembrokeshire. This partnership provides a unique opportunity for the long-term development of the marine renewables industry in Wales, will create a number of jobs in Pembrokeshire and will help to put Wales at the forefront of marine energy development.”
Harbour trials of the DeltaStream device will take place in Pembroke Dock later this year with deployment in Ramsey Sound scheduled for 2014. The device is expected to generate clean electricity for homes in the St Davids area during its 12-month demonstration period. It consists of three independent 400kW turbines that sit on the sea bed under the unit’s own gravity mounted on a triangular frame. However, only one unit will actually be deployed in Ramsey Sound in order to minimize operational and maintenance risk with a view to scaling the device up to the full three turbines later in 2014 or in 2015. The device was originally invented by Pembrokeshire engineer Richard Ayre.
“Pembroke Port is a perfect location from which to provide services to the wave and tidal industry in Wales” said Kevin Hobbs, Short Sea Director of Port of Milford Haven. “This arrangement builds upon our commitment to support this innovative industry and is the first step in our ambition to develop Pembroke Port into a centre of excellence for marine renewables and engineering.”
Tidal Energy Ltd will be opening a new office at the Port and is currently recruiting for two new positions, both of which will be based in Pembrokeshire. Tidal Energy Ltd is backed by the Welsh renewable energy company Eco2 Ltd which has previously developed projects in biomass, wind and landfill gas.
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