Terry Macalister 

Tidal power firm signs deal to sell electricity to EDF Energy

Underwater turbine project in Ramsey Sound, off Pembrokeshire coast, could be generating sustainable power in weeks
  
  

View of Ramsey Sound, Pembrokeshire, Wales
Tidal Energy Ltd says the 12-month deal with EDF will allow it to test the viability of its technology in Ramsey Sound, above. Photograph: Alamy

The small but growing marine power industry made a significant step forward as promoters of a tidal project off the coast of Wales signed a deal to sell electricity to one of the big six firms, EDF Energy.

Tidal Energy Ltd (TEL) said it could be providing “green, sustainable and predictable” power within a matter of weeks from a device to be installed in Ramsey Sound, off the coast of Pembrokeshire.

The 12-month deal with EDF, supported by a generous renewable-energy subsidy scheme, allow assessment of the viability of the firm’s 150-tonne DeltaStream unit, which uses giant underwater turbine generators.

“DeltaStream is not just about proving a new, innovative technology – it is about proving that tidal power can make a real and lasting contribution towards the UK’s renewable energy targets and energy security,” said Martin Murphy, managing director of TEL. “Taking the first steps to commercialisation, by securing a buyer for the electricity generated, is essential to that.”

Dan Brimelow, a sales manager at EDF Energy, said: “The UK needs electricity generation from a range of low-carbon sources. Technologies like tidal power help improve the diversity of electricity supplies and reduce our reliance on imported energy, which is good for the country’s future energy security.”

The project involves the installation of a 400kW machine with the aim of scaling up to nine further machines, which would produce 10MW, enough to power 10,000 homes, by 2017. The DeltaStream device was invented by Pembrokeshire engineer Richard Ayre.

Last week the developers of what it says is the world’s largest tidal array, MeyGen, signed a 10-year power purchase agreement worth up to £50m with independent energy firm, SmartestEnergy for its project in the Pentland Firth, Scotland. ScottishPower, another of the big six, is also engaged in a tidal project off the island of Islay while another large marine scheme, Tidal Lagoon Swansea Bay, is being developed in Wales.

 

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