Blog: EMEC strengthen international relationships

Kyushu Economic Federation with the Orkney supply chain

Last month, EMEC welcomed a 16-strong delegation from the Kyushu Economic Federation, led by Vice-chairman, Mr Masayoshi Nuki. The Federation is a regional, economic organisation with memberships of about 970 companies. Their aim is to investigate issues, closely coordinating with their members and related organisations to contribute to sustainable economic development in Japan.

Following the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station accident, as a result of the Great East Japan Earthquake in March 2011, Japan is bringing about changes in energy policy. The Federation wanted to investigate the future potential of marine energy in Kyushu, and its surrounding seas. And where better to learn about the marine energy industry than in the Orkney Islands, home of marine renewables?

The Federation were welcomed at EMEC by Managing Director, Neil Kermode and Ian Johnstone from Aquatera, where they received presentations about the world’s marine energy resources, highlighting the opportunities available in Japan. The group was invited to take a tour of Billia Croo, to see first-hand how the wave test site operates.

After a bracing and breezy tour of Billia Croo, the Federation were able to warm up at a networking lunch with members from the local supply chain, including Aquatera, Green Marine, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), Orkney Renewables Energy Forum (OREF), Solo Energy and Xodus, further demonstrating the wealth of experience and expertise in Orkney.

For more information about the Kyushu Economic Federation, visit: http://www.kyukeiren.or.jp/english/index.html