Scottish tidal energy firm Nova Innovation has been given a £2 million cash injection from the Scottish Government to advance its turbine manufacturing.
The funding, through Scottish Enterprise, is for Nova’s VOlume Manufacturing and Logistics for Tidal Energy (VOLT) project.
It will develop the first European assembly line to mass manufacture tidal turbines, and trial innovative techniques and tools to ship, deploy and monitor turbines around the world.
The initiative will examine how to improve turbine performance, logistics for mass manufacture, and develop new techniques to ensure cost-effective delivery of tidal turbines.
VOLT will also provide an adaptable remote observation platform (ROP) for rapid environmental monitoring of tidal energy sites.
Nova CEO Simon Forrest said: “We would like to thank the Scottish Government for their swift, high-impact support in helping secure overseas contracts.
“This support is significant and very welcome as it sees Nova and the wider sector shift onto an industrial footing.
“It is an endorsement of Nova’s global ambition to transform the power of our seas into clean, predictable energy, empowering coastal communities all around the world.
“Nova has an exceptional track record for delivery, and we look forward to successfully delivering the VOLT project – making tidal energy mainstream worldwide.”
Nova Innovation’s turbines have been providing power to the Shetland grid for more than five years and will soon be deployed in North America and mainland Europe.
Tidal energy costs are falling rapidly as the sector scales up. It offers a competitive alternative to diesel generation in many markets and will be cheaper than nuclear by 2030.
Michael Matheson, Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero in the Scottish Government, said: “With our abundant natural resources and expertise, Scotland is ideally-placed to harness the enormous global market for marine energy whilst helping deliver a net-zero economy both here and across the world. That’s why we are determined to help the sector grow and develop.
“The VOLT project marks an important milestone in commercialising the sector, and I look forward to Nova Innovation capitalising on this funding to drive forward what is an incredibly exciting opportunity to advance tidal energy’s potential.”
The VOLT project will run from 2021 to 2023.
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