U.K. turbine maker partners with Nova Scotia resources company

U.K.-based Marine Current Turbines (MCT) has entered into a partnership with Hantsport, N.S.-based Minas Basin Pulp and Power Company (MBPP) to demonstrate and develop tidal power technology and facilities in the Bay of Fundy.

Working in partnership with MBPP, MCT will participate in the tidal power demonstration centre established by the Province of Nova Scotia. MBPP and MCT intend to deploy a 1.5MW tidal generator when the in-stream tidal energy centre enters full operation and is connected to the Nova Scotia grid.

In 2003, MCT installed the 300-kW SeaFlow offshore tidal current device off the southwest coast of England, and during 2008, it installed and commissioned its 1.2MW SeaGen commercial prototype tidal current turbine in Strangford Narrows in Northern Ireland. SeaGen generated at its full output of 1.2MW onto the local grid in December 2008, becoming the most powerful marine energy device in the world. It has the capacity to generate power for approximately 1,000 homes.

Martin Wright, Managing Director of MCT welcomed the development. "This is an excellent opportunity to work together with a substantial local partner in MBPP and expand our activities into Canada.

He added: “Given the growing need for new and alternative forms of power generation, there is a sizeable and exciting opportunity for both our firms to work together in Canada to harness the power of the tides on a commercial basis.”

“We hope first to be in a position to address the potential investment and job creation prize for Nova Scotians when tidal power commercial development moves to the next step,” says Scott Travers, president and COO of MBPP.
www.minas.ns.ca