Marine Energy Week 2017 strengthens the Basque marine industry international network

Submitted by Jose Hormaeche on 09 May 2017

The Basque Energy Cluster has taken part in the third Marine Energy Week conferences and exhibition. From 27th to 31st March, this international event has brought together the main stakeholders, companies and organisations involved in the development of marine energies in Bilbao, thanks to the alliance of the Basque Energy Board (EVE), Tecnalia and Bilbao Exhibition Centre (BEC).

José Ignacio Hormaeche, Managing Director of the Basque Energy Cluster, has participated as a moderator in the Offshore Wind Conference held on the 29th under the name: Offshore wind farms - electrical equipment. In addition, with the aim of showcasing the capabilities of the associated companies on a global scale, the Basque Energy Cluster in collaboration with the Basque Maritime Forum, has participated as exhibitor with the brands Offshore Wind Basque Country and Wave Energy Basque Country, present at two stands.

Furthermore, this event was also maximised as an opportunity to disseminate several projects and initiatives. The 'Wave Energy Basque Country' stand displayed the BlueSare project, spearheaded by the Basque Energy Cluster, which intends to promote Euroregional MRE players and boost their international development; and the Recode project led by Tecnalia, aimed at developing a set of cost-effective components, specifically designed to ensure reliable and sustainable delivery of wave energy. The companies Zunibal and Ditrel, both associated with the Basque Energy Cluster, were also present at this stand, thanks to their collaboration in the Recode Project.

At the 'Offshore Wind Basque Country' stand, the Basque Energy Cluster has offered potentially interested companies the chance to request testing services at Windbox facilities and test benches: wind turbine hydraulic pitch; generator slip rings; blade bearing (still under construction); and the yaw system (also under construction). Moreover, Hazitek's project ‘Harsh’ was presented through a poster featuring its chief purpose: advance manufacturing and validation of components for energy installations in offshore environments.

The energy area exhibition space was completed with relevant companies and bodies that wanted to be present as exhibitors, such as Iberdrola, Tecnalia, Nautilus and Navacel, and had a strong presence in the exhibition area.

Regarding institutional representation, it is worth highlighting that the event opening was attended by the Basque Government with the presence of the Basque Premier, Iñigo Urkullu, the Councillor Arantza Tapia and Vice Councillor Javier Zarraonaindia who visited both stands and had first-hand knowledge of the initiatives in both wind and marine energy strategic areas.

To mark the end of this great marine week in Bilbao, the Basque Energy Cluster's wave energy work group met on Friday with the participation of the European Commission representative, Xavier Guillou, showcasing the activities foreseen within the framework of the Ocean Energy Forum Strategic Roadmap, as well as several converter developers and French companies which are under the collaboration umbrella already in place with the New Aquitaine region. 

Share this Article