The European Marine Energy Centre has become a member of the Nagasaki Marine Industry Cluster Promotion Association (NaMICPA), a non-profit organisation. The goal is to help support the development of marine renewables in Japan and stimulate further collaboration between the two countries.
Oliver Wragg, European Marine Energy Centre’s commercial director, signed up to the association during a marine energy trade mission to Japan in March 2015 focused on keeping Scottish companies up to date with developments in the Japanese renewable energy market, assessing market opportunities within the region and meeting key companies in the industry. Organised by Scottish Development International (SDI), the third Offshore Renewable Mission to Japan saw Scottish companies meet with key government organisations as well as some of Japan’s biggest companies including Kawasaki and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
Business-to-business meetings and a networking reception were held at the British Embassy on 24th March, followed by a seminar on the marine industry in Nagasaki on 27th March. The week culminated in theEuropean Marine Energy Centre signing up as a supporting member to NaMICPA.
“International collaboration is vital for the development of the marine renewables industry,” Wragg said. “Only by working with other countries can we ensure that there is a global market available for clients testing their pioneering devices in Scotland, so we are delighted to become members of NaMICPA to help support the Nagasaki Prefecture, and Japan in general, in the pursuit of a sustainable energy mix.”
Mr. Toshiyuki Sakai, President of
NaMICPA, added: “With a focus on marine renewables, the association has been set up to promote marine industry in Nagasaki, supporting businesses within the prefecture via a network of industry, academia and government, as well as international stakeholders."
Mr. Sakai noted that Scotland is "leading the way in the development of marine renewables," adding that having the European Marine Energy Centre involved in the association will provide a depth of knowledge that will support the development on marine renewables here in Japan.”
Established in 2003, the
European Marine Energy Centre is the world’s leading facility for testing wave and tidal energy converters in real sea conditions. The centre offers independent, accredited grid-connected test berths for full-scale prototypes, as well as test sites in less challenging conditions for use by smaller scale technologies, supply chain companies, and equipment manufacturers. To date, more marine energy converters have been deployed in Orkney, Scotland, than at any other single site in the world.