Nova Scotia Contemplates FORCE Expansion

Nova Scotia Government is exploring adding another berth at the Fundy Ocean Research Centre for Energy (FORCE).

Energy Minister Andrew Younger made the announcement yesterday, Nov. 4, at the International Conference on Ocean Energy in Halifax.

The province is in discussions with Ireland-based renewable energy development company DP Energy about installing a 4.5-megawatt tidal stream demonstration power plant at the FORCE test site in Parrsboro.

“DP Energy’s interest at FORCE is another example of Nova Scotia’s leadership position in the global tidal sector,” said Mr. Younger. “Industry leaders recognize that Nova Scotia has the tidal resource, the workforce, and an existing ocean technology sector, and is a great location for developers to test their technology in one of the best tidal resources in the world.”

Four other tidal energy projects that will test technologies at FORCE are:

• Minas Energy, with Siemens (Marine Current Turbines) and Bluewater
• Black Rock Tidal Power Inc.
• Atlantis Operations Canada, with Lockheed Martin and Irving Shipbuilding
• Cape Sharp Tidal Venture (OpenHydro and Emera)
• Last March, government committed more than $4 million for electrical upgrades to accommodate the next level of device deployments, including small arrays, at FORCE.

The research centre recently announced it has installed four subsea cables to its four berths in the Minas Passage of the Bay of Fundy.

Yesterday, the provincial government released a statement of best practice for in-stream tidal energy development and operation, as a guide to develop the tidal industry in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. The first devices are expected to be in place in 2015.

Nova Scotia is hosting the first International Conference on Ocean Energy to be held in North America from until Thursday.

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Press release; Image: FORCE