Canada: OERA Invites EOI to Assess Economic Value of Tidal Industry

OERA is inviting submissions of Expressions of Interest (EOI) as a first step, followed by a request for detailed proposals from qualified applicants – to provide a comprehensive assessment of the value proposition and potential economic value of tidal power development to Nova Scotia, the Atlantic region and Canada.   

The value proposition will serve to provide governments and the private sector with a well-informed assessment of the potential economic impacts and broader benefits using three different development scenarios (ie. low, medium and high potential), and how this industry might evolve over the next 25 years.

OERA expects the proposed value proposition will highlight the strengths of Nova Scotia’s and Canada’s ocean technology sectors and their competitive positioning within the industry; and provide recommendations how those industries can continue to thrive and grow. Because the potential economic benefits arising from tidal power development will include the export of goods and services, consideration needs to be given to international opportunities and Canada’s positioning within this nascent global industry.

“There is massive potential for Nova Scotians in all sectors, to develop the tidal energy industry,” explains OERA Executive Director, Stephen Dempsey. “The results of the study will provide a basis for evaluating further investment in research, development and demonstration, and enable supply and service companies to evaluate whether or not to invest in and pursue business opportunities related to tidal power in Nova Scotia and elsewhere.”

EOIs are due 4:00 p.m. Atlantic Standard Time, Monday October 21, 2013. A short list of EOI applicants will be selected and notified in late October 2013, and requested to submit a detailed proposal. The requirements for the detailed proposal shall be specified in the RFP that will be issued to the invited applicants at that time.

For more information on how to submit an EOI, please visit the OERA website.

OERA is an independent, not-for-profit organization that funds and facilitates collaborative offshore energy and environmental research and development, including examination of renewable energy resources and their interaction with the marine environment. OERA’s mission is to lead environmental, renewable and geoscience energy research that enables the sustainable development of Nova Scotia energy resources through strategic partnerships with academia, government and industry. OERA’s members are Acadia University, St. Francis Xavier University, Cape Breton University, Saint Mary’s University, Dalhousie University and the Nova Scotia Department of Energy.

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Press release, October 8, 2013; Image: