Appointments confirmed for the Advisory Group of Wave Energy Scotland

15th July 2015

A series of key appointments have been made to Wave Energy Scotland (WES) as the new research and development organisation sets up an Advisory Group.

WES received over fifty applications from interested parties keen to be involved in the group. There was a wide range of experience amongst the applicants which clearly demonstrated the level of interest in Wave Energy Scotland. Membership of the group includes those with experience in energy sector and also individuals with a background in investment and insurance.

The Advisory Group will act as a forum for support and guidance to WES. It will also consider how best to develop the WES programme to achieve the aims and objectives of the organisation. Group members have been appointed for a three-year term.

The Advisory Group is meeting for the first time today, Wednesday 15th July.

Tim Hurst, MD, Wave Energy Scotland commented: "The Advisory Group will perform a vital role for Wave Energy Scotland, that of providing strategic direction and ensuring WES maintains a commercial focus within the programme. It is important that WES benefits from the experience of other industries as we seek to find innovative solutions for the wave energy sector. To that end, the Advisory Group does include representatives from a number of sectors and also academia, with a range of expertise and a considerable body of experience."

The Advisory Group will be chaired by Tiree-based businessman Steve Thomson, who is also a board member of Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

Mr Thomson said: "I am delighted to be chairing the Advisory Group of Wave Energy Scotland. My colleagues and I do not underestimate the challenges in the wave sector. However we remain confident that by using our skills and experience, we will be able to provide strategic direction to the development and work of WES."

Wave Energy Scotland was set up as a subsidiary of Highlands and Islands Enterprise in December 2014. It is fully funded by the Scottish Government. The new organisation is seen a fresh approach to tackling the issues which have proved challenging in the wave energy sector. Collaboration is seen as vital to the success of WES and the Advisory Group will play a central role in making that happen.

Energy Minister Fergus Ewing said: "I am delighted to see the range of skills and knowledge represented in the Advisory Group. This is an important aspect of the work of Wave Energy Scotland and the members of the group will be able to use their experience to guide and inform the work of WES.

"The technology challenges are significant in the wave sector. Wave Energy Scotland is drawing on a wide range of expertise with the aim to find sustainable solutions to these challenges, making the contribution of the Advisory Group a vital part of that process.

"There is still scope for representatives of original equipment manufacturers to join the Advisory Group and I would particularly encourage applications from women who might be interested. The Scottish Government supports 50 per cent of public, private and third sector boards to be women by 2020."

It is expected the WES Advisory Group will meet up to six times a year.