UK: 2012 Another Record Year for EMEC

Demand for access to wave and tidal test sites at the European Marine Energy Centre has never been higher as the pioneering Orkney based facility gears up for its tenth anniversary year.

All 14 of EMEC’s test berths – at its Billia Croo and Fall of Warness wave and tidal sites – are now contracted out to marine energy developers.

Interest in EMEC’s new smaller scale testing facilities – which bridge the gap between tank testing and full scale prototype testing – has also increased, with the centre offering developers the opportunity to test components and operational techniques.

News of EMEC’s continued growth comes as figures show the marine renewables sector in Orkney supports around 250 jobs. EMEC itself currently employs 22 people in the islands, with the centre injecting an estimated £2.5M into the Highlands and Islands economy during 2012.

“This has been another remarkable year for EMEC in so many ways,” said Neil Kermode, EMEC’s managing director. “Achieving our target of having 100 per cent of our test berths contracted out to developers was a major milestone for us. We’re now looking forward to seeing them all occupied over the next couple of years; and with machines at sea for longer and longer periods.

“Now, as we head into our tenth anniversary year, our priority is to explore how we can expand and diversify the services we offer. We’ve always prided ourselves on our ability to evolve in line with industry needs and we’ll be working hard to stay one step ahead of developments in what is a rapidly changing sector.”

Mr Kermode described marine renewables job figures for Orkney as “hugely encouraging” and proof that wave and tidal energy was here to stay.

“Job creation was one of the driving forces behind the original EMEC vision,” he said. “With 250 people now employed in the sector in Orkney and the local supply chain continuing to expand, it’s clear that marine renewables is becoming an increasingly valuable element of the local economy.”

Firmly established as a global centre of excellence in the marine energy field, 2012 saw EMEC forge a number of new links with organisations and emerging wave and tidal test centres around the world.

During the year the centre signed memoranda of understanding with the Ocean Energy Association of Japan, the Oregon Wave Energy Trust and the Northwest National Marine Renewable Energy Centre, Incheon Metropolitan City in South Korea, and the National Taiwan Ocean University and the Industrial Technology Research Institute. Meanwhile, the centre continued its ongoing partnership work with Canada’s Fundy Ocean Research Centre for Energy and the Ocean University of China.

EMEC’s operations team had another busy year servicing the centre’s four test sites, assisting developers and supporting several key research projects. Two hundred and sixty five access permits to work on the test sites were issued in 2012, with almost 900 workboat vessel movements logged.

During the year the centre hosted over 400 visitors from around the world, from top politicians and VIPs, to international media representatives.

Already the recipient of a string of industry awards, 2012 saw EMEC’s work recognised with another series of accolades, including a Renewable Energy Associations Flagship Project prize, the Institution of Civil Engineers President’s Award for Energy Infrastructure and a Best Offshore Renewable Energy Award, presented at the Energy North Awards.

July saw the launch of EMEC’s new website with visitor numbers already double what they were last year. An EMEC blog, Facebook page and Twitter and LinkedIn accounts have also been created as the centre continues its drive to engage with stakeholders and explain its work to as wide an audience as possible.

“The past year has undoubtedly seen a major shift in attitudes towards marine renewables, with growing global recognition of the sector’s enormous economic and environmental potential,” continued Mr Kermode. “Here in Orkney we’ve led the world with marine energy development over the past decade and we are determined that the islands will continue to play a crucial role as the industry works hard to take that next step into reliable, full-scale commercial operation.

“As we head towards 2013 and our milestone 10^th birthday, we’re confident that efforts to create a sustainable energy system and economy are heading in the right direction. Many challenges remain, particularly around the issue of grid capacity and connection charges, but we believe momentum in the marine energy sector is sufficient to overcome these obstacles.”

[mappress]

Press release, Deecember 24, 2012; Image: EMEC