Canada stakes claim to host international marine renewable energy conference

9/26/2012

In mid-October Canadian representatives of the growing marine renewable energy industry will embark on Dublin, Ireland to advance interests and investment in the Canadian sector and support a recent bid submitted by Marine Renewables Canada to host the 2014 International Conference on Ocean Energy (ICOE).

Canada’s newly rebranded national industry association, Marine Renewables Canada, is working with The Maritimes Energy Association, Government of Nova Scotia, Offshore Energy Research Association (OERA), and the Trade Centre Limited to bring this world-leading event to Halifax, Nova Scotia in two years. If the bid is accepted, this would be the first North American hosted ICOE - a strong indication that Canada is among the global leaders in the marine renewable energy industry.

"The recent opening of the FORCE berths to tidal turbine arrays confirms the importance of our region to the future of the global marine renewable industry," said Doug Keefe, chair of Marine Renewables Canada and FORCE executive director. "Canada has the world's most powerful test site, the largest electrical facilities, the longest coastline, and governments that support marine renewable energy advancement; we also recognize this is a new industry with many challenges still remaining. ICOE offers a unique opportunity to share both challenges and solutions with the world's leading players, and we welcome the opportunity to strengthen that collaboration in Halifax in 2014."

The ICOE is a steadily growing event, now attracting about 700 participants. Hosting the event in Halifax provides a prime opportunity to attract international interest and investment in one of the world’s largest tidal energy resources—the Bay of Fundy. With Atlantic Canada’s industrial experience supporting the offshore, ICOE 2014 is also expected to attract the largest trade show to date.

Marine Renewables Canada will strengthen this bid by leading a Canadian mission to the 2012 ICOE in Dublin later this fall. A delegation of twenty key companies and institutions having a broad range of skills and expertise for the marine renewable energy industry have committed to date. This will be the first-ever Canadian mission and trade pavilion at ICOE. Through participation in conference presentations, a pavilion, and side business and networking events the mission will serve to showcase Canada’s strengths, attract investment, and help participating organizations develop potential business relationships and alliances in the global industry.

Emera is one of the mission members and in her support of the bid Melanie Nadeau of Emera said “We see value in bringing the 2014 event across the Atlantic to recognize the steps forward that Canada is taking to build a prosperous future for the emerging industry.”

More companies are expressing interest in joining the mission and the delegation to Dublin continues to grow. Marine Renewables Canada is still welcoming other offshore service companies to join with current mission participants:

-- Acadia University
-- Clean Current Power Systems
-- Dalhousie University
-- Emera
-- Fundy Tidal Inc.
-- Fundy Ocean Research Center for Energy (FORCE)
-- Government of British Columbia
-- Idenergie
-- JD Irving
-- Maritime Tidal Energy Corporation
-- National Research Council
-- Natural Resources Canada
-- Nova Scotia Department of Energy
-- Ocean Networks Canada
-- OceanWorks
-- Offshore Energy Research Association (OERA)
-- Powertech Labs
-- Rockland Scientific
-- SRM Projects
-- Thordon Bearings
-- Verdant Power Canada

More details about the 2012 International Conference on Ocean Energy can be viewed here: http://www.seai.ie/ICOE_2012/

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Media contact: Elisa Obermann
Marine Renewables Canada
902-817-4317
elisa@marinerenewables.ca