European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) has welcomed the delegation from the Kyushu Economic Federation in Orkney, highlighting the marine renewable energy opportunities available in Japan.
The 16-strong delegation, led by Vice-chairman Masayoshi Nuki, representing regional, economic organisation with memberships of about 970 companies, was welcomed at EMEC by Managing Director, Neil Kermode and Ian Johnstone from Aquatera, where they received presentations about the world’s marine energy resources, with special focus on the opportunities available in Japan.
The goal of the Kyushu Economic Federation visit, set up to contribute to sustainable economic development in Japan, was to investigate the future potential of marine energy in Kyushu, and its surrounding seas.
The group took a tour of Billia Croo, EMEC’s wave test site, before attending a networking lunch with members from the local supply chain, including Aquatera, Green Marine, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), Orkney Renewables Energy Forum (OREF), Solo Energy, and Xodus.
Japan’s energy policy defines marine renewables as one of the higher priority technologies, and the government has committed to producing between 22-24% of its total power generation from renewables by 2030.
To remind, EMEC willl advise on the infrastructure needed to develop a marine energy test site in the Nagasaki Prefecture, as well as the wider infrastructure required in the region to support marine energy deployments in Japan.