Regional director of construction company Leadbitter, Rob Bradley, handed over the new Marine Building to the Plymouth University vice-chancellor, Professor Wendy Purcell.
The Marine Building is worth GBP 19 million and has the most advanced wave tank testing equipment and an innovation centre for marine renewable technology and engineering businesses, This is Plymouth news site says.
The new state-of-the-art facility, which is to be opened in September, will house a world class team of researchers and scientists who cover almost every major sea-related discipline. At the Coastal Ocean and Sediment Transport (COaST) laboratories, the engineers will be able to test devices using different simulated wave, current and wind conditions.
The Plymouth University has already signed up its first international marine renewables tenant company.
“Our new Marine Building is a landmark development for the University, the city and the region, and provides a suite of research and teaching facilities to support our world-class academic community and enrich the student experience,” Professor Purcell said.
“The equipment, technical and research expertise we have here will catalyse the marine and maritime sectors, and help attract leading researchers and commercial clients.”
Located at North Cross, this building has been funded by the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills, the Department of Energy and Climate Change, South West Regional Development Agency and the Higher Education Funding Council for England.
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Offshore WIND staff, June 11, 2012; Image: burwellarchitects