Steel Engineering set to build Nova's 30kW tidal turbine set

Nova Innovation plans to launch the device later this year, with full commissioning set for early 2013.

Speaking at the announcement, Alex Salmond, Scotland’s first minister, said: ‘The turbine being developed by Nova Innovation, based in Leith, and manufactured by Steel Engineering, based in Renfrew, will be used to power businesses in a remote community in Shetland, showing the very tangible benefits that marine renewable power can bring to Scotland’s businesses and people in the years to come.’

The Nova-30 (30kW) device will be deployed in the Bluemull Sound in Shetland, with the Crown Estate seabed lease and planning permission already secured.

The 30kW demonstrator device will be grid connected, power a local ice plant and industrial estate, and provide income for the community.

This initial project is owned by the North Yell community in Shetland, working in partnership with Nova Innovation and Community Energy Scotland, and supported by Shetland Islands Council.

Scottish Enterprise worked with Nova Innovation, helping to accelerate development.

Kevin Norris, Nova Innovation’s account manager at Scottish Enterprise, said: ‘We have supported the company to increase its research and development activity, and also to develop its overseas trading operations.’

Norris added that Scottish Enterprise would continue to support Nova Innovation to help it achieve its growth plans, which include the deployment of the Shetland Tidal Array in 2013–14.