Cape Sharp Tidal Project Brings NS Firms Multi-Million Contracts

A third Nova Scotian company has secured a multi-million dollar contract with the Cape Sharp Tidal project, which has potential to be the first grid-connected tidal array in the world.

Hawboldt Industries of Chester, Nova Scotia, has been awarded a $4.7-million contract for the design and manufacturing of three heavy lift winches to be used on the OpenHydro deployment and recovery barge.

Cape Sharp Tidal is a partnership between OpenHydro – a DCNS company – and Emera Inc. to develop a tidal industry in Nova Scotia.

“We’re pleased to award another contract to a Nova Scotia company after a competitive tender,” said James Ives, OpenHydro Chief Executive. “We’re developing local expertise here, which will be crucial as we move into larger projects and lay the foundations of a tidal industry.”

“Not only does this project offer clean, renewable tidal energy to Nova Scotians but we’re committed to at least 70 per cent of project costs awarded locally,” said Emera President and CEO Chris Huskilson. “This contract with Hawboldt is a great example of the positive benefits this project can bring to local companies.”

OpenHydro has extensive experience using this winch technology in turbine installations. It was first safely and successfully used in the Bay of Fundy in 2009, as well as in subsequent turbine deployments throughout Europe.

“This is an important opportunity for our business,” said Hawboldt Industries General Manager, John Huxtable. “Cape Sharp Tidal is a major project for our region and we’re happy our local expertise will be right there on the water as part of it.”

In its first phase, Cape Sharp Tidal will deploy two, 2MW, grid-connected turbines off Parrsboro, NS later this year. The project aims to progress in phases toward a 300MW, commercial scale industry in the 2020’s.

In May, Cape Sharp Tidal announced $25 million in contracts awarded to Aecon Group Inc. and Lengkeek Vessel Engineering. Aecon will fabricate turbine components and manufacture the barge at its facilities in both Dartmouth and Pictou County, NS. Lengkeek, based in Dartmouth, NS, earned the contract for barge design.

Image: DCNS/OpenHydro