EMEC assists in progressing Japan’s marine energy

Japanese politicians and business leaders have visited the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) – a visit that comes at a time when Japan looks to establish its own marine energy test centre sites, EMEC’s press release reads.

The visit was hosted by EMEC and the Orkney-based environmental consultancy firm Aquatera.

Takaaki Morita, director of Nagasaki Prefectural Government’s marine energy development office, said EMEC was recognised in Japan as the leading organisation for wave and tidal testing.

Morita added: “We are an island with a lot of people and there is a strong local demand to make marine energy successful. Nagasaki wants to lead this movement towards marine renewables and be the frontrunner of a new industry in Japan.”

Collaboration with the Orkney centre is vital if plans for a similar facility in Nagasaki were to come to fruition, it is stated in EMEC’s press release.

Ian Johnstone, senior consultant with Aquatera, said: “We’ve been working with colleagues in Japan for a number of years to help progress their plans and this current visit is all about the operational aspects of running a test site. In addition, our experience of working with the supply chain companies supporting the wave and tidal energy developers operating in Orkney enables us to advise and assist the wider community in Nagasaki as it looks to take advantage of this developing industry.”

Neil Kermode, managing director of EMEC, said Japan had clearly realised the potential of marine energy, both in terms of harvesting it for its own use and as a potential new market for the country’s manufacturing and technology businesses.

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Image: EMEC/Illustration