A Portland company that develops hydrokinetic energy has expanded its management team.

Ocean Renewable Power Co., which built, operated and delivered power to a utility grid from a tidal project in Cobscook Bay, and to a remote community grid from a river project in Alaska, promoted two people to its executive team.

An artist’s rendering depicts Ocean Renewable Power Co.’s RivGen hydrokinetic energy technology. Courtesy Ocean Renewable Power Co.

Effective Jan. 1, Cian Marnagh, who joined ORPC in 2014, was named vice president of engineering and program management. At the same time, Nathan Johnson, who has been with the company since 2012, was named vice president of development. Both have more than 20 years of experience in their respective fields.

They join management members Abbey Manders, recently promoted to vice president and CFO; Jarlath McEntee, recently promoted to senior vice president and CTO; President and COO John Ferland; and Chairman, CEO and co-founder Chris Sauer.

“To accomplish our ambitious goals and tackle new opportunities in 2018 and beyond, we are expanding our executive team to achieve a higher level of management excellence,” said Sauer in a press release announcing the promotions. “We are truly fortunate to have such seasoned, skilled, and dedicated professionals to help us manage our growth effectively.”

ORPC is executing projects in Maine, Alaska, Canada and Ireland totaling over $16 million. It is pursuing other opportunities to provide environmentally sustainable electricity for remote communities in high cost power markets, notably in northern Quebec, where energy powered by diesel costs more than 12 times that from the Quebec grid, said Sauer. He noted similar market dynamics exist in Alaska and throughout northern Canada.

“Our future growth and, ultimately, our profitability depend on excellence in execution of our business plan,” Sauer said.

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