Scots experts join Chinese marine power project team

Scottish renewable energy experts are to join a team in China working on marine power, it was announced yesterday.

Staff from the Orkney-based European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) have agreed a contract with Ocean University of China to help establish a wave-testing centre.

First Minister Alex Salmond detailed the new partnership while in Shandong on the latest leg of his visit to China and Hong Kong as part of a government delegation.

He visited the Chinese solar energy company Himin to discuss the potential for research and investment in renewable and low-carbon technology. Mr Salmond said: “Nature has provided powerful resources that, combined with great human endeavour and ingenuity, can be harnessed to create plentiful clean renewable energy. This is an ambition shared between China and Scotland: two nations with a strong industrial heritage and reputation for innovation.”

Richard Morris, EMEC’s commercial director, said: “There are significant wave and tidal resources across the globe and we are very pleased to be exporting our knowledge and expertise to further the development of the global marine energy industry. In this case, strengthening ties between Scotland and China.”