By DARA BUTTERFIELD
The European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) has announced plans to ‘restructure due to current market conditions’ – which means an unspecified number of jobs will be cut at its test centre on Orkney.
EMEC hopes that this will ensure that its world-leading marine energy test facilities can continue to respond to the wave and tidal industry’s changing landscape and market demands.
But Neil Kermode, Managing Director, EMEC, confirmed: “The last year has been particularly difficult for the industry, and due to current market conditions I am going to have to restructure EMEC. Regrettably this will mean redundancies.
“We are all operating in a constrained financial landscape, and funding for research and development work is tight, so it is of utmost importance that EMEC remains dynamic and can react quickly to the market as it changes. The restructure will focus on how we can continue to meet the needs of the industry.”
Established in 2003, EMEC 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.
Kermode added: “Everyone at EMEC is passionate about making marine renewables work. The company would not be where it is today without their dedication and hard work.
“We will have to make some very tough decisions over the coming months, and will be consulting with our staff over this period to ensure that they receive the support they need as we go through this process.
“EMEC remains committed to delivering first class services and testing facilities to aid the continued development of a profitable and sustainable marine energy industry, both in Scotland and globally.
“The restructure will not have a negative impact on the service we provide. We will ensure that EMEC retains the capacity to meet the needs of our customers, as well as the wider industry, now and in the coming months and years.”
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