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Press release: Prestigious accolade for EMEC leader

 

Neil Kermode with the Outstanding Contribution Award

The managing director of the world’s leading marine energy test facility has been recognised for his outstanding contribution to the renewable energy industry at the Scottish Green Energy Awards last night.

Neil Kermode, managing director of the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney, was presented with the ‘Outstanding Contribution’ award at the prestigious ceremony run by Scottish Renewables held at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh [Thursday, 5 December].

Reflecting on the accolade Neil remarked:

“I was truly amazed and stunned to receive this award. It is all very well to believe you are doing the right things, but to receive such a public affirmation and unexpected endorsement is deeply moving.

“However I can only accept this if it is understood that this is on behalf of everybody who is working in the marine renewable energy industry, most of whom work harder than I do and have more on the line than me. I gratefully accepted the award as a mark that everybody’s hard graft is recognised.

“In the history of technology, the 10 short years we have been at this is the blink of an eye. Many industries never get this far this fast, so it is also important to pay tribute to those who had the timely vision to set up EMEC and to thank everybody for the unrelenting support we have had so far, and to thank you for the support I know we will enjoy in the future.”

The coveted award, sponsored by Highlands and Islands Enterprise, honours an individual or organisation that has made an exceptional contribution to the success of the renewables industry.

Presenting Neil with the award, Calum Davidson, Director of Energy and Low Carbon at Highlands and Islands Enterprise said:

“I was delighted to present the Outstanding Achievement award to Neil at the 2013 Green Energy Awards in Edinburgh last night, in the year of EMEC’s 10th anniversary.

“Creating a new global industry takes investment, ingenuity, innovation and a focus on the long term from across the public, private and academic sectors. Yet above all it takes the kind of dedicated and powerful leadership shown by Neil over the years.

“This award is a fitting recognition for him, EMEC, Orkney and the North of Scotland.”

A Chartered Engineer and Chartered Environmentalist, and recently admitted as a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers, Neil has headed up EMEC since 2005, overseeing considerable growth throughout the company.

He has led the development of the Centre from its initial 4-berth wave test site, to the world-leading test facility it is today featuring 6 wave berths, an 8-berth tidal test site, and two scale test sites for smaller scale device, component and technique testing.

In addition, he has managed an increase in staff from 4 to 24 employees.

With EMEC celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, and having supported the deployment of more grid-connected wave and tidal energy converters than at any other single site in the world, the centre’s unrivalled experience and expertise is sought after across the globe.

Consequently, EMEC is now working with various countries around the world, exporting its unique knowledge helping them to set up their own wave and tidal energy test facilities to expand global markets.

Congratulating Neil on the award, Niall Stuart, chief executive at Scottish Renewables stated:

“EMEC has played a key role in the development of Scotland’s world-leading wave and tidal sector, and Neil has been at the heart of that success since the moment he joined the organisation.

“He is absolutely a worthy winner of this accolade, and a hugely respected figure in the industry.”

Beyond his day job, Neil has taken on an array of roles as he tirelessly does everything in his power to push the industry forward.

He has spoken on marine energy extensively throughout the UK and internationally and is an active member of assorted advisory groups on the subject and a passionate advocate for a sustainable energy future.

His advocacy work related to the development of marine renewables includes roles as Vice Chair of the Saltire Committee, and frequently entails escorting Energy Ministers, regulators, and influential media around the Orkney coastline to make sure they leave with a visceral understanding of the importance of the work being undertaken at EMEC’s test sites.

Neil’s commitment to the renewables cause is further demonstrated by his role as Chair of the Orkney Renewable Energy Forum (OREF). With world-beating wind, wave and tidal resources, world-class test facilities, local enterprise, academic expertise and international experience in the energy business, Orkney has everything it needs to lead the field in renewables developments and rightfully earn the title of the ‘Energy Islands’.

OREF promotes all forms of renewable energy, and energy efficiency, and encourages these activities to be of benefit to the Orkney community. The combined goal of reducing energy consumption and increasing the proportion of Orkney’s energy supply that comes from renewable sources makes a contribution to global efforts to mitigate global warming, but additionally offers local economic and social benefits.

Scottish Green Energy Awards winners 2013

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