AN ABERDEEN energy group has seen its membership numbers rise over the past year.

Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group (AREG) has seen an increase in the number of companies supporting both the offshore wind and wave and tidal sectors.

Among the 25 new sign-ups are marine engineering firm EC-OG, weather forecasting business StormGeo AS, fabric maintenance business, Venko Offshore and Optimus, the multi-discipline engineering design consultancy.

They will be joining the ranks of long-term members such as BMT Cordah, DNV GL, Forum Subsea Technologies, Shell UK Ltd, and Xodus Group.

AREG was founded in 2003 to support firms looking to grow within the renewables sector. It provides opportunities for direct access to some of the industry’s largest developers through its events. It also connects businesses with access to ground-breaking projects, both domestically and abroad.

Jean Morrison of AREG, said: “It is an exciting period for the renewables industry in Scotland and around the world. We’ve seen Scotland producing enough green energy to power the equivalent of five million homes.”