An Orkney wave and tidal-energy development site has signed its third partnership agreement in the Far East.
The European Marine Energy Centre (Emec) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Incheon metropolitan city in South Korea.
Under the terms of the agreement, Emec will help to design, build and operate a tidal-energy testing facility in the province.
Emec will share its experience of working offshore Orkney, as Incheon attempts to utilise the potential of the harsh sea environment off its west coast.
It comes after Emec signed similar partnerships with the Ocean University in China and the Japanese Marine Energy Centre. Elsewhere, the Orkney centre has also collaborated with the Pacific Marine Energy Centre in the US and the Fundy Ocean Research Centre for Energy in Canada.
Emec commercial director Richard Morris said: “Establishing this link with Incheon metropolitan city is a new and exciting opportunity for Emec and shows that the experience which Scotland possesses is sought after and seen as key to the development of marine renewable industries in other countries.
“Emec is honoured to be working in partnership with Incheon, and we look forward to assisting the municipal administration as it works to develop a centre capable of supporting the development of marine renewable-energy projects in South Korea.
“South Korea has a superb resource, with some of the world’s most active tidal waters off its shores and the administration’s drive to harness that power is commendable.
“We look forward to working in collaboration with them.”
Moung Jo Cho, director general of economic hub promotion for Incheon, said: “Emec’s expertise will be of great assistance to the work being carried out in Incheon to construct a test facility for tidal-current energy devices in what are very tough waters, and its experience of testing and operations in harsh environments is of great interest to us.
“The mutual benefits to be gained from this relationship are clear in terms of the support we can provide to one another.”
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