Eco2 – committed to the future of renewable energy

DeltaStream

Eco2 Press Release

Marine renewables company Tidal Energy Ltd, together with renewable energy development company Eco2 Ltd, have announced plans to further develop their commercial scale tidal energy device to tap into the enormous potential for renewable power generation from the tidal currents around the UK and beyond.

As well as its test site in Ramsey Sound, Pembrokeshire, for which Tidal Energy Ltd has secured £12M of funding for the deployment of a single 1.2MW DeltaStream device, it also plans to install its first array of up to 10MW in 2016/2017. All consents have been achieved for deployment of the first full scale prototype.

The Crown Estate has now granted a lease agreement for a tidal energy project off St David’s Head, Pembrokeshire. The lease gives Eco2 and TEL five years to complete their surveys, scoping and consultation, and  to secure the necessary licenses and operating consents from the Welsh Government and Marine Management Organisation. The  preparatory consent work for this array is already underway.

On achieving planning consent, a full lease that would enable TEL to construct and operate the tidal energy array will be granted.

Managing Director of Tidal Energy Ltd, Martin Murphy said, “The waters off Pembrokeshire are ideally suited to tidal energy development, and we are looking forward to working in this area again in the near future. We are going to use the experience we gain from the first twelve months of the demonstration site in Ramsey Sound to develop the pre-commercial farm off St David’s Head.”

Invented by Pembrokeshire engineer Richard Ayre, DeltaStream sits on the sea bed without the need for a positive anchoring system.  It generates electricity from three separate horizontal axis turbines mounted on a common frame.  The device has been designed to be easily installed, with minimal impact on the environment.

Chief Executive of Eco2, David Williams said, “Getting a demonstration array of devices in the water will allow us to progress our plans for commercial scale production with a view to achieving at least a 5-10% market share of installed capacity in the UK by 2020. The growing industry will also generate a number of sustainable, green jobs.”

Eco2 has developed its reputation as a leading renewable energy development company with a portfolio of successful projects in biomass, onshore wind and landfill gas. Its shareholders view highly the prospects for the growing marine renewable sector and hence have made significant investment in Tidal Energy Ltd for the development and proving of the DeltaStream device.