Returning to Scotland for the Ocean Energy Europe (OEE) 2024 conference in Aviemore brought back memories of my own journey in ocean energy, which began during my seven years in Glasgow in the 90s. Back then, I was immersed in developing and testing the Wave Rotor at the University of Glasgow, and later at Strathclyde University. Those years laid a foundation for my work in marine energy, and it is amazing to see how far the industry has come since then.
The conference gathered over 200 delegates from across the ocean energy sector, showcasing progress in wave and tidal power technologies. There was a positive and open atmosphere, with much to share and celebrate.
Dutch presence in focus
It was great to see such a strong Dutch presence at Ocean Energy Europe 2024. Companies like WECO, DMEC, Equinox, Slow Mill, Symphony, SeaQurrent, DeRegt Cables, and Teijin Aramide showcased the expertise, innovation, and forward-thinking approaches the Dutch bring to the sector.
The Dutch Energy from Water Association (EWA) stand attracted significant interest from delegates eager to learn more about our projects and initiatives. As we promoted the upcoming ICOE 2026 in The Hague, there was a genuine excitement for what lies ahead for the Dutch marine energy industry on the global stage.
Testing the Waters
I had the pleasure of moderating the "Testing the Waters" session with representatives from five major offshore test facilities: BIMEP, EMEC, OPEN-C, PACWAVE, and PLOCAN. Each shared insights on their unique test sites and experiences supporting wave and tidal technologies. In my role with Campus@Sea, I also highlighted the Dutch Offshore Test Site, operated by North Sea Farmers, located 12km off The Hague. Afterwards, participants joined breakout tables to dive deeper into the facility of their choice. We discussed the essential role of offshore test facilities within the IECRE certification system. As the sector matures, these facilities are well-positioned to provide key test services that support the Type Certification process, helping to establish industry standards and build confidence across the sector.
Wave Energy Highlights
There were several notable advancements in wave energy:
CorPower Ocean recently secured €32 million in Series B1 funding and indirectly €39.4 million via EU co-funding, supporting a 5 MW deployment for the Saoirse Wave Project in Ireland.
Wave Roller (AW-Roller) was awarded €19 million from the EU Horizon Europe program to deploy a 2 MW wave energy array (4 units) as part of the Ondas de Peniche (ONDEP) Project in Portugal.
Tidal Energy Highlights
Tidal energy projects also made a strong showing:
Orbital's EURO-TIDES project will deliver a 9.6 MW tidal energy farm with four 2.4 MW Orbital Marine Power turbines at EMEC in Orkney, funded by Horizon Europe and UK Research and Innovation, running through 2029.
Nova Innovation's SEASTAR Project secured €20 million to deploy a 4 MW tidal stream array (16 turbines) in Orkney
HydroQuest plans to install a 17.5 MW (7 x 2,5MW) FloWatt tidal farm in Raz-Blanchard , Normandy, with support from the EU Innovation Fund and €65 million from the French government.
Additionally, in the UK’s Allocation Round 6 (AR6) for Contracts for Difference (CfD), six tidal projects secured a total of 28 MW. Key project awards include HydroWing’s Ynni’r Lleuad 2 in Wales, MeyGen in Scotland, Nova Innovation’s SEASTAR and OCEANSTAR projects at EMEC, and an extension for Magallanes.
Industry perspectives
The conference closed with reflections from key industry leaders. Andrew Scott from Orbital stressed the importance of a balanced supply chain in Europe, with an emphasis on job creation and cost-effective regional production. He highlighted the growing recognition of net-zero goals that extend beyond carbon credits, positioning tidal energy's predictability as a unique strength. Scott pointed out that a clear long-term political vision is crucial to attract investment and noted that the US market is particularly receptive to innovation.
Patrick Möller from CorPower underscored the scalability of wave energy compared to wind and shared how CorPower’s modular wave energy units enable local, automated production. With potential for large arrays near shore, CorPower is exploring opportunities in the UK, Portugal, and the US West Coast, where data centers and challenging ocean depths make wave energy an attractive solution over floating wind.
Renewed optimism
Ocean Energy Europe CEO Rémi Gruet closed the event on an optimistic note, remarking that confidence in the sector is at an all-time high, with unprecedented financial commitment and support from both the EU and US. Leaving Aviemore, we traveled through the stunning Scottish Highlands, buoyed by the positive energy from the conference and looking forward to the ocean energy sector's continued growth.
.
Comments