Facilities
EMEC provides the worlds only multi-berth, purpose-built, open sea test facilities for wave and tidal marine energy converters.
Our operations are spread over three sites:
- Wave test site at Billia Croo, Mainland Orkney
- Tidal test site in the Fall of Warness off the island of Eday
- Office and data facilities in Stromness (EMEC Location Map)
Orkney was chosen because of its natural and manmade resources. The wave test site receives uninterrupted Atlantic waves of up to 15m. At the Eday site, tidal steams run at up to 4m/sec (8kn) and are among the fastest in Europe. Orkney is also the most northerly community connected to the UK national grid, has excellent harbour facilities and a significant professional community experienced in working with renewable energy.
EMEC has been set up by a grouping of public sector organisations following a recommendation by the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee in 2001.
Funding to enable the establishment of EMEC's infrastructure and services to date is in the region of £30 million. The Board of EMEC is extremely grateful that Government has recognised the importance and potential of the marine renewable industry in this way.