The UK National Renewable Energy Centre (Narec) and Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult (ORE Catapult) are to merge in a bid to accelerate development of offshore wind, wave and tidal energy across the UK.

National Renewable Energy Centre, Narec, has announced that it will test the prototype power train for the SeaGen-S 2 megawatt (MW) device developed by Siemens-owned Marine Current Turbines (MCT).

The UK National Renewable Energy Centre (Narec) and Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult (ORE Catapult) are to merge in a bid to accelerate development of offshore wind, wave and tidal energy across the UK.

Under the merger plans, the the research, development, demonstration and testing facilities of Narec will be combined with what has been described as the "industrial reach and engineering expertise" of ORE Catapult. The organisation will be led by Andrew Jamieson, chief executive of ORE Catapult. Andrew Mill will step down as Narec chief executive and will join the board of ORE Catapult as a non-executive director.

"We will play a leading role in ensuring the UK replicates the success of the oil and gas industries," said Jamieson, "creating many thousands of skilled jobs, contributing billions of pounds to the economy and ensuring that the UK has a major influence on European policy, funding and offshore renewable energy development in the decades to come."

Offshore renewables are expected to make the largest contribution to meeting the UK’s commitment to providing 15% of all energy from renewables by 2020.


Photo: Narec is testing the prototype powertrain for the SeaGen-S 2MW device developed by Siemens-owned Marine Current Turbines (MCT) (Source: Siemens/NCT)