The European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) is to support the development of the first wave and tidal test centre for marine energy converters in China.
The Orkney based EMEC will collaborate with the Qingdao Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (QNLM) on the centre, which will be located near Zhaitang Island in Shandong Province, EMEC said.
The centre is due to be operational in 2020 and will feature two separate sites, one for wave and one for tidal.
Both sites will share an offshore substation and feed into the grid at Zhaitang Island.
EMEC will support the design and technical specifications for the centre and give guidance on the data acquisition system to enable integrated environmental monitoring at the test site.
Scottish Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse said the move shows Scotland’s “world-leading strengths in wave and tidal energy.”
“The marine energy industry has taken momentous steps forward in recent years. The Scottish Government are proud to have supported that through a number of initiatives, including the recent announcement of £10 million of available funding through our Saltire Tidal Energy Challenge Fund,” he said.
EMEC commercial director Oliver Wragg (pictured right) said the new facility is a “big deal” for the marine sector in both Europe and Asia.
“The marine energy opportunity is a global one and we’re ready to work with anyone who is serious about making it happen,” he said.
Professor Shi (pictured left), at QNLM said China has a “vast resource” of untapped marine energy.
“We know that there is a long way to go, but by collaborating with EMEC who have the experience and expertise, we’re hoping we can make some shortcuts,” Shi said.