The Scottish Government has awarded a £2 million grant to tidal energy developer Nova Innovation to step up production of tidal turbines.

The funding, delivered through Scottish Enterprise, is directed at Nova’s ‘Volume Manufacturing and Logistics for Tidal Energy’ project. The project, which will run from 2021 to 2023, will examine how to improve turbine performance, and develop logistics for mass manufacture and new techniques to make tidal turbines cost-effective. It will also deliver an adaptable remote observation platform for rapid environmental monitoring of tidal energy sites.
The aim is to 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.

Simon Forrest, CEO of Nova Innovation, said: “This support is significant and very welcome as it sees Nova and the wider sector shift onto an industrial footing.”

Nova Innovation’s turbines have been powering the Shetland grid for over five years and are expected to be deployed shortly in North America and mainland Europe.

Michael Matheson, cabinet secretary for net zero in the Scottish Government, said: “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.”