Canadian and UK energy groups are to work together to develop offshore tidal research projects on Orkney.
The UK’s Technology Strategy Board is to jointly support research with Nova Scotia’s Offshore Energy Research Association as part of a new agreement between Britain and the provence.
The venture, announced last night in Canada, will see the groups contributing more than £130,000 each to encourage research in both countries.
It comes after a memorandum of understanding was signed by the province and the groups, looking at ways of collaborating on research and technology studies for Orkney and the Bay of Funday off Nova Scotia.
“Bringing together tidal energy leaders from Nova Scotia and the U.K. will help advance efforts to harness the power of Fundy tides,” said the province’s energy minister Andrew Younger.
“Collaborating on tidal development will help us save money and increase our research capacity. It will also create opportunities for businesses and researchers in both Nova Scotia and the United Kingdom.”
The first request for research proposals will be issued later this year, looking for new environmental sensing systems to help measure the impact tidal devices have on the environment.
“The UK sees the development of its marine energy resources as an important step towards meeting our renewable energy objectives,” said Britain’s deputy high commissioner to Canada, Corin Robertson.
“This memorandum will not only advance the state of research in this area, bringing us closer to grid connectivity and commercial production, but will encourage the development of a low carbon industry with great economic potential.
