Project Nautilus is the first of a number of site developments planned over the next two years, which will also see the construction of a 100 m wind turbine blade test facility and a 12 MW drive train facility for the offshore wind industry.

The wave and tidal drive train test facility will be based around the existing dry docks, de-risking the test phase whilst being able to re-create real-life conditions.

Investment in onshore infrastructure alone is expected to exceed £50 million and together with a proposed offshore wind turbine demonstration site, which has now been awarded by the Crown Estate, could establish Narec globally as “the independent technology development hub for offshore wind and marine renewables,” Narec explains.

Andrew Mill, CEO of Narec, says: “Our new facilities have been designed to stimulate technology inspired sector growth of an indigenous industrial base in the UK; to ensure that we are at the forefront of the global technology race for renewable energy products and services.”