Development of a marine energy research and development centre in Chile took a major step forward this week with the signing of a joint agreement in Paris.
On June 8, in the presence of the President of Chile Michelle Bachelet and the President of France François Hollande, a joint statement was signed between the Chilean minister of Energy, Maximo Pacheco, the vice-president of Chilean economic development agency CORFO, Eduardo Bitran, and DCNS CEO Hervé Guillou to support the installation of MERIC (Marine Energy Research and Innovation Center).
Co-funded between the Chilean Ministry of energy, DCNS and Enel Green Power, MERIC is Chile’s first International Marine Energy R&D Centre of Excellence committed to develop MRE knowledge and innovation in Chile.
DCNS and Enel Green Power were selected by CORFO in October 2014 to develop MERIC. The center will work in close cooperation with Chilean universities and companies and will conduct studies to identify the first sites where Marine Renewable Energy technologies could be installed off the Chilean coastline.
"Chile has excellent natural conditions for the development of energy from the seas that we must seize," said CORFO executive vice-president, Eduardo Bitran. "We have a great opportunity not only to investigate about marine energy, but to develop related industries and services with this technology. The agreement … involves the government’s commitment to co-finance the development of applied research and technology in our country. "
Hervé Guillou, DCNS CEO, added: "DCNS is proud to contribute to the development of marine renewable energies in Chile. The creation of MERIC will allow to strengthen both the knowledge of Chilean actors in marine energy and DCNS know-how in site development and technology adaptation. Our ambition is to develop long-term partnerships with Chilean companies and universities in order to build a hub for innovation in marine energies in the country".
