The European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) has signed an agreement with Marine Energy Wales to consult on the creation of the Marine Energy Test Area (META) project, underway in Pembrokeshire.
Orkney-based EMEC will share knowledge on leasing, licencing, operations and commercial activities as well as help to establish a test area in the Milford Haven Waterway.
The META project will see the creation of a series of pre-consented, non-grid connected sites suitable for a range of component, sub assembly and marine energy device tests.
EMEC is one of Scotland’s more prolific test sites for wave and tidal energy, including testing for the Scotrenewables two megawatt SR2000 tidal turbine.
The £1.9 million development, which is being supported by EU and Welsh Government funds, along with the Coastal Communities Fund and the Swansea Bay City Deal, aims to provide early stage device developers with an easy access testing facility to de-risk future deployments and drive down the cost of energy.
Joseph Kidd, META operations manager, said:“This agreement demonstrates that the marine energy sector is a catalyst for positive cross-border collaboration across the UK. By working together and sharing knowledge we hope to create a project which will provide added value to the UK’s world leading established test centre network.
“We are delighted to have EMEC and Wave Hub Ltd on board as strategic advisors and we will benefit hugely from their wealth of experience.”
Oliver Wragg, EMEC’s commercial director, said: “EMEC has more than a decade of experience in the design, build and operation of its marine energy test facilities. The important R&D activity which has taken place in Orkney over the years has created a UK-wide boost to innovation in the marine energy sector.
“We are delighted to collaborate with Marine Energy Wales and Wave Hub in the META project, sharing our unique wealth of knowledge and helping to drive the industry forward, supporting further development of renewable energy.”
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