EMEC celebrates tenth anniversary

The European Marine Energy Centre – the world’s first and only test centre for wave and tidal energy devices – celebrates its tenth anniversary this month, with the pioneering Orkney based facility planning a host of events to mark its milestone year.

All of EMEC’s test berths are currently contracted out to marine energy developers as the industry moves closer to its goal of full-scale commercialisation of wave and tidal technologies.

Crucially, EMEC’s presence has sparked the growth of an entirely new industry in Orkney, with increasing numbers of local businesses now diversifying into the marine renewables sector.

Recent figures show that marine energy supports around 250 jobs in the islands, with EMEC’s clients injecting approximately £1m per device into the local economy. Staffing at EMEC has almost doubled during the past three years, with the centre now employing over 20 people in Orkney.