A world-leading test centre is expanding its workforce to meet demand from companies developing machines that harness energy from the sea.

EMEC, the Orkney-based European Marine Energy Centre, is gearing up for the arrival this year of more devices capable of generating electricity from waves or tidal currents.

With two machines already undergoing sea trials at EMEC, five new staff are to be recruited to join the 13-strong team currently running the centre.

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EMEC managing director Neil Kermode said: "These are exciting times for us, with our facilities playing such an important role at the cutting edge of marine power development.

"We'll see a number of very different technologies being tested in the waters around Orkney during 2010, clear evidence of rapid progress being made towards the commercial-scale harvesting of clean, sustainable energy from the seas around us.

"To keep up with demand, we need more staff – a great opportunity for people keen to play their part in building a new renewable energy industry of huge economic significance for Scotland."

EMEC operates the world's first open-sea, grid-connected test facilities for prototype wave and tidal energy technologies.

(GK/BMcC)