Wave Energy Scotland Seeks New Advisors

Leading wave energy development body, Wave Energy Scotland (WES), is seeking to appoint three new members to its Advisory Group.

Wave Energy Scotland (WES) is a subsidiary of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and fully funded by the Scottish Government.

The Advisory Group plays a critical role in supporting WES in achieving its objectives and to support wider Scottish efforts to develop the wave energy sector.

As well as the opportunity to join an exciting developmental journey, members will have the ability to influence the strategic direction of this emerging sector.

To continue the forward-looking commercial focus and support of WES, expressions of interest are sought from representatives from industry (including utilities), academia, investment and insurance communities.

Applications are invited from individuals who have a strong track record in providing strategic advice in relation to project delivery, experience of securing long term project finance for technology development activities and an understanding of what makes them investable and insurable.

WES understands the importance of linking with academia and therefore interest is also sought from those with significant relevant experience, specifically in relation to marine renewable technology development.

WES’ first funding call – for wave device Power Take-Off systems (PTOs) – in May 2015, sparked global interest and resulted in just over £6 million being awarded to 17 projects, led by developers and consortia from countries including UK, Spain, Italy, Belgium and Sweden.

Eight Novel Wave Energy Converter (NWEC) projects received funding from the second call in 2015. More recently WES announced that a further ten projects have been awarded a total of £3 million for Structural Materials and Manufacturing Process (SMMP) proposals.

This recent funding announcement from WES brings the total investment by the organisation in wave energy technology development to £15 million across 51 projects, all in less than two years.

WES expects to announce its fourth innovation call, for controls systems, in Spring 2017

Advisory Group Chairman Steve Thomson said,

“Joining the Advisory Group offers people a superb opportunity to contribute their expertise and get involved in an innovative and emerging industry that will help to keep Scotland leading this new sector.”