Akvaplan NIVA is collecting new environmental studies in Kvalsund connected to the installation of the prototype of a future tidal power plant.

Hammerfest Strøm AS installed the prototype of a tidal power plant in 2003 in Kvalsund in Finnmark, Northern-Norway.  Before the concession allocation for the prototype Akvaplan NIVA executed an environmental study in the surrounding area to document the possible influence the tidal power plant could have on the environment.

The study showed that the influence from the prototype would be minimal. The environmental impact assessment was split up in three main subjects; environment, outdoor life and fishing. The environmental effects were shown to be small towards these subjects. The prototype has no visual impact and is placed on 50 meters depth ehere the current is strongest. The analysis from the study shows that the installation of the prototype was not assumed to have any bigger impact on the animal life in the area. The observations which were done in the study were showing that the animal life in the area mainly was located in shallow waters and landwards where the currents are less strong.

The prototype has been connected to the commercial grid for four years. Due to the plan of verifying the prototype the nacelle (production part) has now been removed from service for major inspection. It is planed re-installed early 2009. Regarding this Akvaplan Niva is collecting data for a new environmental study in the surrounding area. The study is going to verify the possible influence the tidal turbine is having on sea birds and sea mammals in the area, to see if there are any changes in their behavior caused by the turbine. Akvaplan NIVA has acquaintance with the project and is now performing verifying study in Kvalsund. The studies will be collected before and after the re-installation. The objects are to verify the observations and assumptions from the first study. This way we can document, regarding new concession, the effect of an installation of a future tidal power plant.