The European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) has been shortlisted for the ‘Blue Economy Business of the Year’ award at the European Commission’s Blue Economy Business Awards 2016.
Organised by the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE), the Blue Economy Business Awards aims to showcase excellent practices from industry, honouring those who have made a specific contribution to bringing and developing innovation in the blue economy.
To date, more marine energy companies have demonstrated their pioneering wave and tidal energy technologies at EMEC than at any other single site in the world including 16 wave and tidal energy clients, spanning 9 European countries, which have demonstrated 25 marine energy devices in Orkney waters, according to EMEC.
The number will further increase this year as Sustainable Marine Energy’s PLAT-O and Scotrenewables Tidal Power’s SR2000 technologies start undergoing tests at EMEC.
Oliver Wragg , EMEC’s Commercial Director, said: “When EMEC was established in 2003 it had two objectives: harness the power of the waves and tides that surround the UK and Europe; and stimulate economic development in coastal European communities. Orkney now acts as a brilliant case study for the economic benefits that can be achieved through the activities taking place in and around a test facility – activities that if developed to a larger scale will form a new sustainable industry for the blue economy.”
Karmenu Vella , European Commissioner for the Environment, Maritime Affairs & Fisheries, said: “The Blue Economy Business Awards want to shine a light on success stories, to show how marine and maritime businesses in Europe can stimulate the creation and exchange of knowledge, promote innovation and new technologies for the benefit of our society.”
The winner of the award will be announced at an awards ceremony on September 12, 2016, in Hamburg, during the first summit of the Blue Economy Business and Science Forum.