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Plans for the Shetland Tidal Array have been boosted after being awarded £3.75 million.
Scottish firm Nova Innovation, alongside Belgium’s ELSA, have been awarded the investment package by Scottish Enterprise to help develop the tidal array.
The award has come after the firms successfully deployed a community owned 30kW Nova 30 tidal turbine in May.
The funding will be used by the two companies to develop and deploy five 100kW turbines at the Bluemull Sound site in Shetland.
The array will be developed in two phases, with the first three devices due to be commissioned by the end of 2015.
Seonaid Vass, director of renewables and low carbon technologies at Scottish Enterprise, said: “Scotland is leading the world when it comes to innovation in wave and tidal energies – and Nova’s continued success is a real testament to the strengths in the sector.
“Seeing this tidal technology developed into in-sea tidal arrays is a significant step forward for the industry, and we will be working closely with Nova to support its work in this and other potential projects.”
Simon Forrest, managing director of Nova Innovation, said: “This partnership agreement will accelerate Nova Innovation’s technology development; help secure the company’s Scottish manufacturing base and expand the integrated supply chain here in Shetland and Scotland.
“The pan-European vision of the partnership will open up export markets and deliver real growth for the marine energy sector.”
Olivier Bontems, managing director of ELSA, added: “We are very proud to be part of this project and to contribute to the development of green electricity in Shetland and Scotland.”
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