Shetland extension for Edinburgh tidal group

Nova Innovation, the tidal energy outfit chaired by former S SE boss Ian March ant, has secured an extension of its seabed lease at the Shetland Tidal Array.

Crown Estate Scotland has granted an extension to the Edinburgh-based firm’s existing seabed lease at Bluemull Sound in Shetland, increasing the capacity of the site lease from 0.5 megawatts to 2 MW. The extension will also see the current lease period extend until 2041.

Patrick Ross-Smith, Shetland manager for Nova Innovation, said: “We see this as a big vote of confidence from Crown Estate Scotland for tidal energy.

“This lease extension paves the way for expanding the array, using the next generation of Nova turbines: further driving down the costs of this clean and predictable source of renewable energy.”

Mark Mckean, development manager for Crown Estate Scotland, added: “We look forward to seeing further progress at this site and benefits for the local supply chain in the coming years.”