Tocardo, the leading producer of tidal and free-flow water turbines, has strengthened its UK operations with a senior appointment; Paul Morris joins the UK subsidiary as Managing Director of Tocardo Tidal Energy Limited. This appointment is part of the company’s strategic plans to become the leading producer of tidal and free-flow energy in the UK.
Paul has considerable experience in business and project development in the offshore and renewable energy sectors , having worked in these industries for more than 15 years. He has been responsible for preparing and planning large-scale renewable energy projects for companies such as Atlantis Resource Corporation and Sustainable Marine Technologies and has logistical experience of the UK offshore renewable energy businesses.
In his new role Paul will over see the strategic development of Tocardo’s business in the UK and will look to exploit opportunities to develop the business’s offshore tidal and in-stream river turbine manufacturing in the British Isles.
Commenting on his appointment, Paul Morris said : “I am delighted to be joining Tocardo at such an exciting developmental stage for the business. The UK is the next natural target for Tocardo and there are many opportunities to be exploited here. I am looking forward to driving forward Tocardo’s strategy for development in the UK which is one of the most exciting locations for renewable energy in the world. Tocardo is at the forefront of tidal and in-stream power generation development and is one of the few businesses to be successfully manufacturing and installing turbines.”
Hans van Breugel, CEO of Tocardo added: “Paul’s expertise and leadership across all business disciplines made him the perfect candidate for the job. There is increasing international interest in tidal and in-stream power generation in the UK and we are in a strong position with our manufacturing capabilities and, now this senior appointment, to lead the way in the next stage of development in the country’s offshore renewable energy business.”
This senior appointment is the latest in a number of strategic developments by Tocardo which most recently included a long-term partnership, in the form of a minority shareholding, with Huisman, which designs and manufactures heavy construction equipment for on and offshore companies.
This alliance will allow Tocardo to build on its considerable knowledge of in-shore turbines and to accelerate the development of its off-shore engineering capabilities. The Tocardo free-flow and in-stream hydro turbines can be compared to ‘underwater wind turbines’: free-standing underwater units, generating energy from sea currents, tidal and river flows. They are easy to install and are low-cost to maintain.
Tocardo has been active in Scotland since 2009, and has a presence on the East and West coast where they are involved in business and project development.
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Press release, October 25, 2012; Image: stampacommunications