EDINBURGH-based Nova Innovation has secured $4 million from Natural Resources Canada’s (NRCan) energy innovation program for phase 1 of its 1.5 MW tidal energy project in Nova Scotia.
The project, located in the Petit Passage at the gateway of the Bay of Fundy, will use Nova Innovation Ltd’s technology to produce tidal energy. The firm said that up to 15 turbines will operate on the seabed harnessing what they say will be one of the world’s most powerful tides.
The Hon. Bernadette Jordan, Canada’s minister of fisheries, oceans and the Canadian coast guard, made the announcement on behalf of NRCan at an event on the shores of the Bay of Fundy. Minister Jordan said, “With the longest coastline in the world, Canada should be a global leader in tidal energy. This renewable energy source has the potential to substantially grow our blue economy in the long term, but we need to invest now. There are brilliant teams across this country who are working toward this vision, and our government wants to be a partner in their efforts. So today, we’re proud to invest in four innovative projects that share a single goal: to build a thriving tidal power industry across Canada.”
Kim MacNeil, Nova Innovation’s head of North American business development added, “Canada’s investment reflects the growing confidence worldwide in our technology and our ability to operate it in extremely challenging environments. It will be a huge step forward for tidal energy in Nova Scotia and Canada. Support from NRCan gives it added momentum in a time when the world is working to recover from the economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Nova Innovation involves local companies in our tidal energy projects as part of our business model. This is the approach we have taken in Shetland, and this is the approach we will take in Nova Scotia. We’re confident we’ll be key to making tidal energy an invaluable resource for Nova Scotians.”
