Four of the biggest players in the ocean energy sector have joined Ocean Energy Europe as lead sponsors. By lending their support, GDF SUEZ, Scottish Development International (SDI), ScottishPower Renewables and Siemens are confirming Ocean Energy Europe’s mandate as the European representative of the sector and recognising the role the EU will have in bridging the gap to commercialisation.
Commenting on the announcement, Dr Sian George, CEO of Ocean Energy Europe, the trade association for ocean renewables, said that she was delighted to have such major industrialists and development agencies join Ocean Energy Europe. She added that this was clearly indicative of the momentum the sector continues to gain.
“Commercialising ocean energy will require EU support and industry cooperation and today’s announcement shows that the industry has recognised that,” Sian said.
Marc Florette, a member of the Executive Committee of GDF SUEZ, said that joining Ocean Energy Europe was a natural step in order to promote innovation and further improve ocean technologies and their sustainable, efficient deployment across Europe.
The sponsorship announcement by the main ocean energy players comes at a time of unprecedented interest in ocean energy within the EU, following the launch of the European Commission’s Communication on Ocean Energy on 20 January, 2014.