StatoilHydro is a joint owner of the world’s first tidal power turbine delivering electricity to the onshore grid. Through our ownership in Hammerfest Strøm AS, we contribute to development of technology for production of energy from tidal currents.
StatoilHydro is a joint owner of Hammerfest Strøm, which in 2003 installed a prototype tidal power turbine in Kvalsundet off Hammerfest. (Photo: Allan Klo)
A 300 kW prototype tidal turbine has been developed. The turbine was installed in 2003 at 50 metres depth in Kvalsundet off Hammerfest, and is the first tidal turbine in the world that generates electricity which is supplied directly to the electricity grid onshore.
The turbine has been in operation since 2003 with good results.
StatoilHydro has played an important role in the development of technology for the tidal power turbine. We have applied our experience and expertise from subsea technology in the oil and gas industries to develop technologies for sustainable energy.
In the spring of 2007, Hammerfest Strøm signed a contract with the Scottish energy company Scottish Power to further develop Norwegian technology for tidal energy in the UK.
Scottish Power and Hammerfest Strøm have together founded the tidal power company Hammerfest Strøm UK. The goal is to install a full-scale tidal turbine in the UK in 2009. This is an important step on the path to commercialisation and mass production of tidal power technology.
