At the 2011 Ireland France Business Awards in the Embassy of Ireland, Paris, last night were Rik Joosten, CEO, Egis Projects, and James Ives, CEO, OpenHydro
Irish clean-tech company OpenHydro and Egis Projects Ireland received honours last night at the 2011 Ireland France Business Awards for their company performances in 2011 and their promotion of bilateral trade and investment between Ireland and France.
Presented by the Ireland France Chamber of Commerce and NetworkIrlande, the Ireland France Business Awards were hosted at the Embassy of Ireland in Paris, France.
OpenHydro was selected as The Best Irish Company in France, owing to its major technological breakthrough in the area of tidal technology, while in the process linking up with two major French companies, EDF and DCNS.
One of France’s largest utilities, EDF, has recently collaborated with OpenHydro, deploying its tidal technology to create the world’s largest tidal wind farm off the coast of Paimpol-Bréhat, France. When installed in 2012, it will be the world’s largest tidal array, generating power for the French electricity grid.
Ireland-France environmental collaboration
In Paris last night, the jury agreed that OpenHydro epitomises the potential for developing energy and environmental prospects between two countries.
The jury members said the company reflects how new ideas backed by capital investment can provide revolutionary solutions to the global energy crisis.
The Best French Company in Ireland was awarded to Egis Projects Ireland for its investment in the development of Ireland’s transport infrastructure, by helping to improving the efficiency of operating tolls on motorways and the management of traffic equipment.
The jury commended the company for its “exceptional work” in demonstrating the contribution of improved traffic infrastructure to Ireland’s competitiveness.
Prof Antoin Murphy of Trinity College Dublin chaired the Ireland France Business Awards 2011 jury panel, which included Anne-Marie Tierney Le Roux, IDA; Gary Fallon, Enterprise Ireland; Philippe Boin, Service Economique de l’Ambassade de France; Gisèle Hivert-Messeca, Ubifrance Ireland; Fabrice Etienvre, Invest in France UK-Ireland; and Eamon Fitzpatrick, The Irish Times.
Gerry Halpenny, president of the Ireland France Chamber of Commerce, said last night that these awards highlight the important contribution of both Irish and French companies to promoting business and investment between the two countries.
“Despite a difficult economic climate, this year’s entries show that significant bilateral business opportunities still exist and with the right supports, there is excellent scope for further growth,” said Halpenny.
Ambassador of Ireland to France, H.E. Paul Kavanagh and Ambassador of France to Ireland, H.E. Mme. Emmanuelle d’Achon, attended the annual event.
Global Cleantech Cluster Awards
Last week, OpenHydro also won an award at the Global CleanTech Cluster Awards that were held in Dublin, when 30 finalists from all over the globe vied to win the 10 later stage awards and catch venture capitalists’ attention.
Maynooth company Imperative Energy also won an award for its clean-tech strides at the Global CleanTech Cluster Awards.
