The bimep test zone, located off Armintza, will enable research and testing of floating power generation devices
This week, bimep, the Basque infrastructure for testing and studying marine energy technologies is attending the international All-Energy exhibition in Aberdeen. Yesterday Scottish energy minister, Fergus Ewing, visited the stand, where he discussed the important role Basque-Scottish collaboration in testing can play in developing this energy source.
Mr Ewing enquired about advances at the installation. Bimep, located off the coast at Armintza, is due to come into service this summer and will also allow for studying and testing of floating wind power structures. This is a highly important development for international collaboration given that Scotland plans to begin preliminary testing of floating devices by 2018. The minister expressed particular interest in collaboration between bimep and the EMEC marine testing area in Scotland, with a view to contributing jointly to developing technologies that advance this fledgling market.
Bimep's participation at international energy exhibitions is helping publicise this pioneering marine energy test centre, already a reference point on the international energy market. With a testing zone restricted exclusively to research, the bimep will allow testing of devices and prototypes developed by technology centres and R&D departments of energy companies from around the world under real marine conditions. The bimep has 4 submarine cables connected to the shore, a total capacity of 20 MW and all the facilities and licenses required for mooring floating energy devices.