Louth technology company OpenHydro, which is currently building the world's first large-scale, grid-connected tidal energy farm with energy giant EDF off the north coast of France, has been announced overall winner of the prestigious Engineers Ireland Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Company of the Year title.

The company has won the award for using CPD to go from a start-up R&D firm to becoming a global player in marine turbines that generate renewable energy from tidal streams.

The awards, now in their eighth year, assess which organisations use CPD to improve performance, by breaking into new markets, developing new products and innovating with cutting-edge technologies.

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John Power, Director General, Engineers Ireland said: "The CPD Accredited Employer standard recognises companies and organisations which implement specific continuing professional development policies to support their engineers and technical staff. OpenHydro Technology, the overall winner, is a great example of a company that has embraced CPD and has transitioned from being an R&D organisation to now supplying some of the world's largest utility companies with commercial energy generating turbines."

Other groups to receive awards included, Jennings O'Donovan & Partners Consulting Engineers, Sligo in the small-sized category; MCS Kenny, Galway in the medium-sized category; Farrans Construction, Belfast in the large-sized category and Cavan County Council was honoured in the public sector category.

(CD/GK)