Tidal power partnership

Marine Current Turbines has entered into a partnership with Minas Basin Pulp and Power Company to demonstrate and develop tidal power technology and facilities in the Bay of Fundy, Nova Scotia.

Bristol-based Marine Current Turbines (

MCT

) has entered into a partnership with Canada’s Minas Basin Pulp and Power Company (

MBPP

) to demonstrate and develop tidal power technology and facilities in the Bay of Fundy, Nova Scotia.

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 300kW SeaFlow offshore tidal current device off the south-west 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.

Martin Wright, managing director of MCT, said: ‘This is an excellent opportunity to work together with a substantial local partner in MBPP and expand our activities into Canada.

‘It builds on the development of our technology in Northern Ireland and will complement our first 10MW farm development in the UK, planned for off the north Wales coast.’