FORCE Prepares for Turbines, Expands Team

With 10 kilometers of power cables installed in the Bay of Fundy, a new environmental monitoring program in development, and turbines set for deployment in the near future, the Fundy Ocean Research Center for Energy (FORCE) announced new board and staff support.

FORCE welcomes Joe Fitzharris as the chair of the board of directors. Fitzharris is Quality Manager at AMEC Black and McDonald, and has previously held senior management positions at Marener Group of Companies and Irving Shipbuilding. Joe has previously served as an independent director at FORCE, and chair of the Maritimes Energy Association.

“The marine renewable energy industry is in its infancy,” said Fitzharris. “FORCE can be a catalyst to its development in a safe, environmentally sustainable manner. We have one of the best tidal energy resources in the world – and we’ve added both the infrastructure on the seabed and expertise to make it happen.”

“We also have the ability to lay the groundwork that will create good jobs in Nova Scotia, particularly in rural communities,” Fitzharris added.

Former chair John Woods continues as a FORCE board director, leading Minas Energy’s tidal project.

FORCE also announced new directors Jeremy Poste, Director for Cape Sharp Tidal and Country Manager for OpenHydro Technology Canada, Johnny Watson, project manager of Atlantis Resources, and Sue Molloy, general manager of Black Rock Tidal Power.

The FORCE board is comprised of nine directors: four developers, three independent directors, one academic, and the province, which includes Anna Redden, Director, Acadia Centre for Estuarine Research, Acadia University; Janet MacMillan, Partner, National Public Relations; Paul Jamer, President, Breakwater Group; and Sandra Farwell, Manager Director, Sustainable & Renewable Energy, Nova Scotia Department of Energy.

FORCE announced Mary McPhee has been promoted to facility manager at the FORCE site.