Two Nova Scotia companies ink $20 mln tidal deals

Aecon Group and Lengkeek Vessel Engineering have secured contracts worth $20.3 mln as part of the first round of procurement awards on the Cape Sharp Tidal project.

Cape Sharp Tidal, a joint venture between Emera and OpenHydro, plans to deploy and grid-connect two 2 MW tidal turbines in the Bay of Fundy in fall 2015.

After a competitive tender process Aecon Group and Lengkeek Vessel Engineering have been selected by Cape Sharp Tidal. Aecon Group secured the contract for fabrication of turbine components.

It will also develop a 1.150 tonne capacity barge for OpenHydro, which will be used to deploy turbines on to the seabed for the Cape Sharp Tidal project, as well as other future tidal array developments, Aecon’s press release reads.

Lengkeek Vessel Engineering was awarded the contract for the design of the barge.

James Ives, OpenHydro Chief Executive, said: “The manufacture of a dedicated deployment barge is a major capital investment for OpenHydro that will also support Cape Sharp Tidal as we progress towards larger commercial scale tidal farms. We are committed to the development of a tidal energy industry in Nova Scotia and these contract awards demonstrate the potential of our industry to generate economic growth.”

Chris Huskilson, President and CEO of Emera, said: “Today’s announcement reinforces Cape Sharp Tidal’s commitment to the province of Nova Scotia and to building a global tidal energy industry in the Bay of Fundy.”

In April, Open Hydro received funding boost from Canada in the amount of $5.1 mln for the Bay of Fundy tidal project.

Michel Samson, Nova Scotia’s Energy Minister, added: “I’m pleased that Cape Sharp Tidal has chosen to use two local companies as key suppliers, creating local jobs and positively impacting the Nova Scotia economy.”

OpenHydro is a DCNS company specialising in the design, manufacture and installation of marine turbines generating renewable energy from tidal streams.

Aecon Group is a Canadian construction and infrastructure development company that provides integrated turnkey services to private and public sector clients.

Lengkeek Vessel Engineering is a naval architecture and marine engineering firm based in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

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Image: DCNS