MRC Offers Workshops to Encourage Companies to Develop Tidal Energy Opportunities

Tidal energy projects are taking off in the Bay of Fundy. Marine Renewables Canada (MRC) is offering workshops in locations across Nova Scotia for companies interested in exploring opportunities in the tidal energy supply chain. Three levels of government have partnered to contribute more than $100,000 to the initiative.

Nova Scotia—with its strategy for tidal power development in the Bay of Fundy—is considered a world leader in the marine renewable energy sector. Since 2006, considerable attention and resources have been focused on researching and developing in-stream tidal energy in Nova Scotia. The deployment of multiple turbines signals the next phase of development. This will help determine the viability of extracting energy from tides, converting it and transmitting it to the power grid. It is anticipated that Canada will be one of the first countries to establish tidal array projects.

To build on the momentum of tidal energy projects in the Bay of Fundy, MRC has been working to assess the needs of local project developers—including Fundy Tidal Inc., Minas Energy, Black Rock Tidal Power Inc., Atlantis Operations Canada and Cape Sharp Tidal Venture. The goal is to identify Atlantic Canadian suppliers who can meet tidal energy development requirements through expertise in ocean technology, marine operations and offshore oil and gas. Beginning this month, MRC is delivering a series of webinars, in-person workshops and community open houses to potential suppliers. In addition to providing information, the sessions will connect local suppliers with international developers. The sessions will take place throughout 2015, in locations across Nova Scotia including Halifax, Digby and Parrsboro.

The Government of Canada is investing $46,105 through ACOA’s Innovative Communities Fund (ICF) to support the marine renewable energy supplier engagement and development initiative. The Government of Nova Scotia is investing $45,000 through the Department of Energy. Municipal support includes $10,000 from the Municipality of the County of Cumberland and $4,000 from the Digby Development Agency which comprises the Municipality of the District of Digby and the Town of Digby.