Applications are being invited for one of the most exciting jobs in the renewable energy industry – general manager of the pioneering Wave Hub project.
The South West RDA (Regional Development Agency), which is developing Wave Hub off the north coast of Cornwall in South West England, is inviting applications via a dedicated website, www.wavehubjobs.co.uk
The post will be based in West Cornwall and the closing date for applications is September 18.
Wave Hub is a cornerstone of the RDA’s strategy to develop a world class marine energy industry in the South West. It comprises a giant grid-connected socket on the seabed for wave energy devices to be tested on a scale not seen before.
The £42 million project is fully funded, has planning approval and has already placed its first equipment orders. It will be built next summer.
Nick Harrington, head of marine energy at the South West RDA, said:
“This is an exciting and challenging role because Wave Hub is a world-first. The ideal candidate will have a strong engineering background and will combine technical expertise with general management and communications skills. Above all they will have the appetite to blaze a trail in a fledgling industry and find ways of doing things that have never been done before.”
The general manager will be responsible for leading all aspects of the project including the safe and efficient operation of Wave Hub and the recruitment of three staff who will comprise the Wave Hub operations team.
Wave Hub is being funded with £12.5 million from the South West RDA, £20 million from the European Regional Development Fund and £9.5 million from the UK government.
The South West was designated the UK’s first Low Carbon Economic Area because of its strength in marine energy in July, attracting a further £10 million of UK government investment for projects that will support the industry.
With government, RDA and European funding, the total investment in the South West’s marine energy programme in the next two years is expected to top £100 million, putting the region at the forefront of this emerging global industry.
