Driving the Canadian tidal market

Leading international tidal developer Atlantis and global renewables company DP Energy have formed a partnership to develop a multi-turbine array at the Fundy Ocean Research Centre for Energy (FORCE) facility in Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia, Canada. It is anticipated that the array will include AR1500 turbines from Atlantis’ turbine division. Financing and front end engineering design is expected to be completed in 2016 in anticipation of an offshore construction commencement date in 2017.

AOCL is the leaseholder of a berth at the FORCE facility in Canada, which was awarded a 4.5MW feed-in-tariff by the Nova Scotia Department of Energy in December 2014.

The partnership will enable DP Energy to take an active role alongside Atlantis in bringing AOCL’s opportunities to fruition and tapping into the huge potential of the Canadian tidal market.

Tim Cornelius, CEO of Atlantis, said: “We have now created a project development platform that the local supply chain can invest in, with confidence. Coupled with the unwavering support of the Nova Scotian Department of Energy and the leadership of FORCE, AOCL will be an attractive investment proposition for project financers looking to make use of the feed in tariffs available for tidal stream projects in the Province.

“This partnership is further demonstration of the inevitable consolidation that is occurring across the tidal power sector globally, and Atlantis is proud to be leading the charge. DP Energy is a well-established developer of renewable energy projects globally, and Simon’s energy and vision will no doubt help drive this multi-turbine initiative to a successful conclusion.”