The deal was signed by Aquamarine Power Chief Executive Martin McAdam and Seacore’s Managing Director Bob Jenkins during a visit to the Falmouth firm by the UK Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Chris Huhne.
Seacore will commence drilling and installation of steel piles for three Oyster devices this summer at Billia Croo near Stromness in Orkney. The company previously installed the piles for Aquamarine Power’s Oyster 1, also at Billia Croo, which was installed in 2009.
Aquamarine Power will install a single Oyster 2 device this summer with a further two devices to be put in place in 2012. Together the three Oyster 2 devices will form a 2.4MW array connected to a single onshore generating plant.
The news follows the announcement in December of £11M new investment in Aquamarine Power by multi-national power company ABB and other investors.
Commenting on the new contract, Huhne said: “Our island has a tremendous marine energy resource and we already have a lead in the technology. Now the challenge is to see it deployed commercially.
“As we face oil prices beyond $100 a barrel and the clearest evidence yet of the physical dangers to the UK of manmade climate change, innovations such as the Oyster are the sure-fire insurance policy with a big economic dividend.
“Marine energy has the potential to sustain growth, quality employment and skills in the South West and the UK’s wider, fast-developing low carbon economy. The Coalition is determined to ensure this potential is realised,” he added.
