London showcase for Orkney’s marine energy businesses

Nine Orkney-based marine energy businesses taking part in a major industry event in London this week.

Organised by Renewable UK, the Wave and Tidal 2017 conference and exhibition is aimed at demonstrating the value of the marine energy industry to the UK and securing high-level support for the sector.

A wide range of technology developers and supply chain firms from throughout the country will join key politicians and industry leaders at the event, in the QEII Conference Centre today, Thursday.

The Orkney delegates speaking at the event will include Christopher Milne, chief financial officer at Scotrenewables Tidal Power Ltd, Jason Schofield, managing director of Green Marine (UK) Ltd, Alistair Carmichael, MP for Orkney and Shetland, and Neil Kermode, managing director of the European Marine Energy Centre.

Mr Kermode said: “For those further south, Orkney is perceived to be far flung. However, we know that when it comes to marine energy and energy innovation more generally, Orkney is far from peripheral.  More wave and tidal energy converters have been tested here than anywhere else in the world.”

He added: “Orkney is a living laboratory, one that proves investment in innovation creates jobs in coastal communities, as well as huge export opportunities.  Local companies are already exporting their knowledge, so the rest of the UK has an opportunity to capitalise on our global lead and the industrial opportunities so many other countries are now also chasing.”

The Orkney businesses attending Wave and Tidal 2017 are EMEC, Scotrenewables, Heddle Construction, BJRE, Green Marine, Aquatera, Leask Marine, Orcades Marine and Xodus Group.