Tidal energy firm seeks to develop Welsh test site
Monday 08 December 2008
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| Both EMEC and the Pentland Firth were considered to test TEL's DeltaStream device, but the company said that a "strong community link" with Pembrokeshire drew the firm to the Ramsey Sound site |
A Welsh tidal energy company has unveiled plans to develop a tidal stream test site off the coast of South Wales to test a 1MW device.
Cardiff-based Tidal Energy Limited (TEL) said it
hopes to deploy its DeltaStream tidal stream technology at the site at Ramsey Sound, Pembrokeshire.
Chris Williams, development director at TEL told New Energy Focus on Friday that, subject to planning and consent, the company wanted to have DeltaStream in the water by the summer of 2012.
The development of the site - which would be the first of its kind in Wales - would include a subsea cable, a small onshore package control room and substation, as well as electrical infrastructure works to allow connection to the local distribution network.
The plan is to test DeltaStream for 12 months, and then remove it along with the offshore cable and onshore control room.
Under the proposals, local distribution network improvements would remain after the device had been removed.
DeltaStream
The 1MW DeltaStream unit, which comprises three horizontal axis turbines on a triangular frame, is 30m in width and sits unanchored on the seabed.
Mr Williams said: "The tidal stream at Ramsey Sound is particularly strong, and together with its water depth and local distribution network, is perfectly suited to testing Delta Stream."
He added: "Establishing a test site is a major breakthrough and puts us on the path to helping Wales utilise its natural assets and join the race to develop marine renewables."
Ramsey Sound, Pembrokeshire, where the DeltaStream is to be tested
But he did confirm that the company was hoping to submit an Environmental Statement in July2009, and a planning application one month later in August.
Backed by Cardiff-based wind and biomass developer Eco2, Tidal Energy was set up by a team of renewable energy and marine engineering specialists to develop Deltastream, with the support of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.
The Park funded initial trials of DeltaStream in the Cleddau Estuary in 2001, and TEL cites the "strong community link" the firm has with Pembrokeshire as one of the reasons for choosing the Ramsey Sound site.
A number of other sites were considered, including EMEC and the Pentland Firth.
Eco2's David Williams said: "DeltaStream is an exciting development for the renewables industry, taking energy generation out of sight, and harnessing the vast and largely untapped resources of the oceans.
"The project gives Wales the opportunity to lead the way with marine renewables, driving the development from the heart of Pembrokeshire," he added.
TEL says that, once testing of DeltaStream is complete, it intends to source all further development and manufacturing jobs in Wales, which could amount to up to 100 new roles.
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