Tidal energy leader Nova Innovation has been awarded a grant of £265,000 by Cronfa Cymunedau'r Arfordir (Coastal Communities Fund) to help to establish its operations in Wales. The funding, which will be spread over a three-year period, will help to support four full-time posts in North Wales and the establishment of a turbine assembly facility, supported by a robust supply chain for Nova's projects in Wales.
Nova is currently developing two tidal energy projects in Wales - at Enlli (Bardsey Sound) on the Llyn peninsula, where the company is working closely with community group YnNi Llŷn, and at the Morlais Demonstration Zone off Anglesey.
Speaking of the grant award by Cronfa Cymunedau'r Arfordir (Coastal Communities Fund), Joseph Kidd, Nova Innovation Commercial Manager, said: "This grant will help Nova make a real investment in local jobs and the local supply chain in north Wales. Tidal energy has a vital role to play in Wales' energy mix and can be a real catalyst for the regeneration of coastal communities. Creating jobs and developing local manufacturing is all part of that in our view."
Brian Thomas, Chairman of YnNi Llŷn, commented "We welcome this funding as it will support the creation of new jobs in north Wales. We are excited to be working with Nova and this will help accelerate the projects we are developing together, whilst acting as a catalyst for wider economic development in the region."
David Jones, Project Director at Marine Energy Wales added, "Marine energy has created over 100 new low carbon jobs across Wales in the last two years, supporting supply chain resilience, clustering and our maritime economies. We are delighted that Nova, a world leading tidal developer, has chosen Wales as a location to develop their activities, continuing the growth of this innovative industry in Wales."
Nova already has a presence in Wales at the Marine Energy Hub in Pembroke Dock, and it has taken on experienced marine energy specialist Joseph Kidd to lead on Nova's developments in Wales. The focus now for Nova is on establishing an operational presence in north Wales and building the team to deliver the projects.
The grant award by Cronfa Cymunedau'r Arfordir/Coastal Communities Fund is further testament to Nova Innovation's position as a market leader in tidal energy technology. Since its inception in 2010, Nova has been at the forefront of tidal energy technology development. In 2016 Nova Innovation was the first company in the world to deploy a fully operational grid-connected offshore tidal array at their site in Shetland.
