The Scottish Government has granted consent for the 30MW West Islay Tidal Energy Park off the coast of the Scottish island of Islay in Argyll and Bute. The site which has been under development since 2009 by DP Energy and its partners Bluepower NV (a partnership between DEME Blue Energy and utility investor, Nuhma). The project reached this important milestone following extensive consultation with key stakeholders and by addressing the challenges brought about by the broad consenting approach. The design envelope is based on a technology neutral methodology enabling a wide range of turbine options to be included; fully submerged solutions, such as the Andritz Hydro Hammesfest and Atlantis turbines recently deployed at Meygen, as well as surface piercing solutions, and moored floating solutions such as the SR2000 device of ScotRenewables which recently reached peak power of 2MW at EMEC.

Simon De Pietro, CEO of DP Energy said:

“We have had to work through a number of challenges with the site due to demand by other marine  users. This involved detailed discussion and agreement with the key stakeholders, most importantly with the local fishing interests (through the local fishing groups assisted by Scottish Fisherman’s Federation (SFF) and with the Ministry of Defence (MOD) because of the importance of the North Channel approach to the North Atlantic and naval activity in the area. Gaining consent was only possible with the cooperation of these parties and we remain committed to working with them and the wider community going forward”.

“West Islay is significant because it is the first time such a broad consenting envelope has been attempted successfully and the team will be reviewing technology options over the coming months to determine the best strategy for the development of the project”

Ends.

Planning application lodged for 100MW marine tidal scheme capable of powering 70,000 homes.

The renewable energy firm behind proposals to install a 100MW tidal generation scheme off the County Antrim coastline has lodged a planning application for permission to install tidal turbines on the seabed and associated infrastructure to bring the power ashore.

The Environmental Statement supporting the application contains details on the different types of tidal turbine technologies being considered for the site together with findings from the surveys undertaken and environmental impact assessments. The application follows an extensive period of consultation including two rounds of public information days.

Clodagh McGrath, Project Manager of Fair Head Tidal, says the local population reacted positively to the open days and we look forward to receiving further feedback now our application has been lodged.

“We initially engaged with the local communities of Ballycastle, Rathlin and the broader north coast in May 2014 outlining our development approach and plans for an extensive programme of site surveys. We returned in August last year to share further details including the findings from the surveys. Consultation with local communities is a valued part of our development process and will continue going forward.” says Ms McGrath.

The project is the second of two tidal schemes off the North Antrim coast to have secured agreement from The Crown Estate for the development of large scale tidal energy projects offering a clean and predictable power source.

It is intended that the Fair Head Tidal project would be developed in two stages, says Ms McGrath.

“The first stage would be to install an array of perhaps four to six turbines,” she says. “The second stage would be more substantial, completing the scheme’s 100MW output, which we calculate would supply enough energy to power some 70,000 homes.”

The project brings opportunities for local employment and skills training , and the planning application includes a specific section covering the potential socio-economic benefits which could arise if the scheme is built. Nationally, at a Northern Ireland level, it is estimated that some 340 temporary jobswould be created during construction of the full 100MW development, followed by some 75 permanent jobs during the operational phase, lasting up to 25 years.

DP Energy is developing similar schemes off the east coast of Canada, and off Orkney and Islay, Scotland.

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DP Energy has appointed EY and Baker & McKenzie as their financial and legal advisors on their hybrid wind and solar Port Augusta Renewable Energy Park in South Australia.

“Making these appointments is a crucial step towards achieving our objective of financial close by the end of Q1 2017,” explains Andrew Smith, Chief Investment Officer, DP Energy. “Both of these businesses bring the right skill set to help us deliver this ground breaking project to the Australian marketplace.”

 “EY is pleased to be supporting DP Energy on its expansion into Australia.  Our team brings deep international expertise in renewables and our leading Australian renewable energy practice together to progress the Port Augusta Renewable Energy Park to financial close.  The characteristics of this hybrid renewable energy solution has the potential to deliver a range of benefits to the South Australian market.” states Matt Rennie, EY’s Global Head of Transactions in Power & Utilities.

“Baker & McKenzie is excited to be assisting DP Energy with this unique combined wind and solar project that will help South Australia in meeting its ambitious low carbon energy target,” says Paul Curnow, Partner, Baker & McKenzie.” As advisors to wind and solar projects in Australia and around the world, we are pleased to be contributing our legal and regulatory know-how to the success of the Port Augusta Renewable Energy Park at a time when more and more renewable energy projects demonstrate their important role in assisting Australia in meeting its climate targets.”

The ~375MW project received Development Approval from the South Australian Government in early August. When fully commissioned, it will generate approximately 1,000 gigawatt hours (GWh) of clean renewable energy directly into the national electricity grid per year, enough to power about 200,000 homes and save 470,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year. Located near the former Northern Power Station, the project will create much-needed employment in the energy sector for the Port Augusta region.

The project CAPEX is estimated to be approximately ~AUS$700 million, and will create 250 jobs over construction – peaking at some 600 over the height of that phase of the development; and 15-20 ongoing jobs. The build will involve using local South Australian businesses wherever possible, an approach that DP Energy adopts across all the jurisdictions within which it operates. DP Energy looks forward to working with the local community to find innovative ways in which to maximise the local benefits both through employment generation and by facilitating local supply chain opportunities.

The project’s added significance turns on its unique generation profile: the wind resource (installed capacity ~200MW) is primarily driven by the temperature difference between the land and sea rather than by weather systems, and hence exhibits a regular early evening peak which is well aligned with the daily peak demand for electricity.

This effect is also strongest in the summer when temperature differences are at their greatest, meaning that annual energy generation also peaks when it is most needed. When this evening wind generation temperature effect is coupled with large-scale solar generation (~175MWac – which has a midday peak) a good match to overall demand can be achieved thereby supporting the electricity network and placing downward pressure on wholesale prices.

DP Energy has delivered successful projects in Canada, the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland and, in addition to the Port Augusta Renewable Energy Park in South Australia, plans for other projects in Australia, and each of these jurisdictions. – see www.dpenergy.com/projects/

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Public consultations to inform local communities in Ballycastle and on Rathlin Island about a proposed 100MW tidal energy scheme off the North Antrim coast attracted more than 100 visitors over the two days according to the organisers.

Representatives from Fair Head Tidal say they were delighted by the turn out. The renewable energy scheme proposed by development companies DP Energy and Bluepower NV would provide enough electricity for more than 70,000 homes.

Fair ”Head Tidal project manager Clodagh McGrath says she and her team noticed that most people visiting the consultation exhibition in the Marine Hotel in Ballycastle, and the Richard Branson Centre on Rathlin, were well informed.

“We were very pleased that so many people engaged enthusiastically and were positive about our proposals,” says Ms McGrath. “We understand that there will always be sensitivities surrounding any new developments. We were here to explain the extensive survey work we have been doing, display images to show how the project might look, and how we will seek to minimise any impacts on the local environment and the communities that live and work there.”

“Engagement with local communities is a very important part of our development activities, and we welcomed the level of feedback we received over the two days, which will help in finalising our plans”, she says.

Fair Head Tidal intends to submit a planning application for the offshore component of the project, covering a development area of some 3.3 square kilometres and about one kilometre north east of Fair Head, later this summer. Before the end of the year, the Fair Head Tidal team will be back in Ballycastle to share details on the second component of the project. This will cover the proposed onshore works in the vicinity of Murlough Bay in order to connect the tidal project into the Northern Ireland electricity network.

“We are very respectful of the views of local communities,” says Ms McGrath, “and we look forward to returning to the area in the coming months to share our proposals for the onshore works and again very much welcome feedback.

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Media contact:

[email protected]

DP Energy’s Port Augusta Renewable Energy Park has received Development Approval from the South Australian Government.

Once fully commissioned, the Port Augusta Renewable Energy Park will generate approximately 1,000 gigawatt hours (GWh) of clean renewable energy directly into the national electricity grid per year, enough to power about 200,000 homes and save 470,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year. Located near the former Northern Power Station, the project will create much-needed employment in the energy sector for the Port Augusta region.

The development application was approved following significant consultation with the relevant government agencies, consideration of public submissions and detailed advice from the Development Assessment Commission, an independent statutory authority.

South Australia is recognised nationally as a leader in renewable energy, with about 35 per cent of Australia’s installed wind-generated power. Approval enables delivery of one of the largest and most significant hybrid renewable energy projects in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the installation of some 59 wind turbines and almost 400 hectares of solar photovoltaic (PV) arrays for a combined generation capacity of up to 375 MW. This one project will make a material contribution to South Australia achieving its low carbon investment target of $10 billion by 2025.

The project’s added significance turns on its unique generation profile: the wind resource is primarily driven by the temperature difference between the land and sea rather than by weather systems, and hence exhibits a regular early evening peak which is well aligned with the daily peak demand for electricity. This effect is also strongest in the summer when temperature differences are at their greatest, meaning that annual energy generation also peaks when it is most needed. When this evening wind generation temperature effect is coupled with large-scale solar generation (which has a midday peak) a good match to overall demand can be achieved thereby supporting the electricity network and placing downward pressure on wholesale prices.

DP Energy’s CEO, Simon De Pietro said that “South Australia stands out as an ideal investment destination for DP Energy. The state has great natural resources in both wind and sun coupled with a clear regulatory framework, an excellent case management service (through Investment Attraction South Australia), and a professional and independent planning assessment process (through the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure and the Development Assessment Commission). These factors have been invaluable in helping DP Energy to navigate the necessary approvals and bring this project to reality.”

“The Port Augusta Renewable Energy Park represents a new breed of renewable energy generation which will deliver the right power at the right time for energy consumers, and deliver economic benefit to the region and the State,” Mr De Pietro said.

The project CAPEX is estimated to be approximately $680M, and will create 250 jobs over construction – peaking at some 600 over the height of that phase of the development, and 15-20 ongoing jobs. The build will involve using local SA businesses wherever possible, an approach that DP Energy adopts across all the jurisdictions within which it operates. DP Energy looks forward to working with the local community to find innovative ways in which to maximise the local benefits both through employment generation and by facilitating local supply chain opportunities.
ENDS

Media contacts:

Australia:
Gaby Powell, DP Energy Australia
E: [email protected]
T: +61 (0)7 40 952 877
www.dpenergy.com

Northern Ireland:
Joris Minnie , JPRNI,
Sylvan House, 232-240 Belmont Road, Belfast, BT4 2AW
E: [email protected]
T: +44 (0)28 9076 0066

Other jurisdictions:
Judith Patten MBE, JPPR
34 Ellerker Gardens, Richmond, Surrey TW10 6AA, UK
T: +44 (0)20 8241 1912
M: +44 (0)7970626656
E: [email protected]