News release

Province Creates New Tidal Energy Opportunity

Energy and Mines (July 2018 - Aug. 2021)

Nova Scotia’s Bay of Fundy is the place to be to develop tidal energy technology. An independent and competitive process will be used to attract a new tidal project to fill the vacant berth at the Fundy Ocean Research Centre for Energy (FORCE).

Government has hired a team from Power Advisory LLC led by John Dalton, an electricity policy consultant with more than 25 years of experience, to serve as procurement administrator for a call for proposals. The administrator will only consider proposals that include a private sector solution for the Cape Sharp turbine.

“Around the world, companies recognize the value of proving their technologies in the Bay of Fundy and having a spot at Canada’s lead research facility for in-stream tidal technology,” said Energy and Mines Minister Derek Mombourquette. “We have already seen significant interest in this berth and having a new developer in Nova Scotia will support new jobs, create opportunities for local businesses and build on our position as a leader in this clean energy industry.”

The procurement administrator will have the authority to issue a power purchase agreement and a licence, if there is a successful proposal.

Project size will be limited to no more than four megawatts at a maximum rate of 53 cents per kilowatt hour. Companies will be required to have a minimum of $4.5 million in security to cover all costs associated with the Cape Sharp turbine and additional security will be required before any new device is deployed.

Quotes:

“Renewable energy markets around the world are changing and growing at a rapid pace. Power Advisory has the expertise to navigate this evolving territory, and we’re excited to be working again with Nova Scotia to further its clean energy goals.”

– John Dalton, president, Power Advisory LLC

“We’re glad to see the province taking action to both remove the existing turbine and make room for a new tidal device. This gets us closer to our goal of understanding if, and under what conditions, tidal stream energy can be successful in the Bay of Fundy.”

– Tony Wright, general manager, FORCE

“FORCE presents an optimal opportunity for in-stream tidal energy development. Attracting a new entrant supports industry’s strategy to demonstrate technology and project approaches that will drive costs down and advance the sector as a whole. It also creates new opportunities for the local supply chain to engage and benefit from tidal energy development.”

– Elisa Obermann, executive director, Marine Renewables Canada

Quick Facts:

  • the procurement process will begin soon and the results are expected by spring
  • retrieval and disposal of the Cape Sharp turbine could happen in the second half of 2020
  • the turbine continues to be monitored and does not present a risk to marine life or the environment

Additional Resources:

FORCE website: https://fundyforce.ca/

Additional information about John Dalton: https://poweradvisoryllc.com/power-advisory-staff/