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Marine

With abundant coastline, world-class facilities, and globally recognised expertise in renewable energy and subsea innovation, Scotland is at the forefront of the rapidly expanding marine energy industry. Discover how we can help your business harness wave and tidal power.

The power of marine energy

Marine energy is a key component of the world's energy mix and our drive toward net zero carbon emissions.

  • 300 gigawatts (GW)

    The world's potential marine energy capacity by 2050

  • $340 billion US

    Potential global gross value add (GVA) from the marine energy sector by 2050

  • 500 million

    Tonnes of carbon emissions prevented through the use of clean marine energy

Source: Ocean Energy Systemsopens in a new window 

Marine energy: the next wave of renewables

Clean energy plays a vital role in the drive to reduce carbon emissions, both in Scotland and worldwide. Businesses and consumers are seeking out greener energy sources – making this the perfect time to invest in renewables.

Marine energy is a key part of the renewables mix, with benefits for businesses, society, and the environment. Energy generated from waves and tides is clean, predictable, and easy to forecast. This helps create a secure, reliable energy supply that supports our net zero ambitions.

Thanks to recent advancements in technology and knowledge, interest and investment in marine energy are greater than ever. There's potential for 20% of the UK's energy supply to come from marine sourcesopens in a new window.

As demand continues to rise, it's an exciting time to explore this fast-growing sector and its many opportunities for your business.

  • Scotland: a natural leader in renewables

    With rich natural resources, advanced facilities and a wealth of expertise, Scotland has long been at the forefront of renewable energy.

    Framed by the Atlantic Ocean and North Sea, Scotland boasts 18,672 kilometres of windswept coastline – the perfect location to develop wave and tidal technology.

    What's more, with more than 50 years of experience in oil, gas, and subsea ventures, we have the transferrable skills, knowledge, and infrastructure that the renewables sector needs.

    By investing in marine energy projects in Scotland, you'll also benefit from:

    • A highly skilled workforce with experience working in remote areas and extreme conditions
    • A ready-made marine energy supply chain
    • World-class testing and demonstration facilities
    • Opportunities to collaborate with world-leading academic research institutions and experts
    • A supportive government policy landscape that prioritises a greener, more sustainable economy
    • Crossover with existing infrastructure and technology for other renewable energy sources and supply chain synergies that save on costs

    Learn more about our sustainable economy 

A legacy of innovation

Marine energy is just one chapter in Scotland's long history of innovation. 

We're globally recognised as a nation of inventors, manufacturers, and thinkers, with highly sought-after expertise in engineering and maritime pursuits. So it's no surprise that Scotland, its people, and its institutions are leading the way in marine energy developments.

  • In 1974, Professor Stephen Salter developed the world's first device to turn ocean waves into electricity in Edinburgh.

  • In 2016, the world's first tidal stream array was installed in Bluemull Sound, Shetland, by Nova Innovation.

  • In 2023, hydrogen produced at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Scotland was used in the first hydrogen-electric flight.

Explore Scotland's reputation for innovation 

Scotland's marine energy industry

For more than 20 years, Scotland has been at the forefront of the marine energy sector. From wave energy converters to tidal stream turbines, our companies are developing and manufacturing pioneering technologies that make marine power more efficient and feasible than ever. 

In 2022, 70% of the world's operational tidal capacity was located in Scotland, according to the Ocean Energy Systems annual report 2022opens in a new window. This includes MeyGen, the largest tidal-stream project in the worldopens in a new window, which has generated more than 70 gigawatt hours (GWh) for the grid from its site in the Pentland Firth. Scotland is also home to Orbital Marine Power’s O2, the largest tidal device in the worldopens in a new window, which was deployed in 2021 at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC).

Currently, Scotland has a growing pipeline of wave and tidal-stream developments, including 84 megawatts (MW) of tidal projects supported by the UK Government Contracts for Difference auctions. Scottish companies also contribute expertise and technology to a range of global projects, including:

  • Orbital Marine Power, Canada – Orbital Marine Power has partnered with Eauclaire Tidal to install a tidal-stream turbine in the Minas Passage in Nova Scotia. 
  • Nova Innovation, France – World-leading marine energy company Nova has installed cutting-edge tidal energy technology in Brittany, France.
  • Nova Innovation, Canada – Nova has also secured a tidal array project in Petit Passage, Nova Scotia.
  • EMEC, US – EMEC actively collaborates with the US to share its knowledge of ocean energy, notably on the 2019 Project Peer review.
  • Proteus Marine Renewables, Japan – Built in Scotland, Proteus' tidal kit is now producing clean electricity in the Goto island chain in southern Japan.

Case study: Mocean Energy

Mocean Energy is a successful Scottish developer of ocean energy converters, with more than 100 years of combined experience in wave energy, naval architecture, and offshore oil and gas.

Mocean’s team combines scientific principles with real-world experience to harness renewable power and accelerate the transition to a net zero future.

Watch the Mocean Energy case study on YouTubeopens in a new window 

World-class facilities

Scotland's testing and demonstration facilities are second to none. Here you'll find innovative Scottish companies working independently and with international and academic partners to develop the next generation of marine technology.

Our facilities include:

Case study: EMEC

With more than 20 years experience, the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) is the world's first and only grid-connected, accredited site for testing ocean energy technologies at sea. These include machines that generate electricity by harnessing the power of waves and tidal streams, as well as subsystems, components, tools, and techniques.

EMEC has created more than 400 highly skilled jobs and contributed £263 million in gross value add (GVA) to the Scottish economy. It's also home to the world's largest tidal device, the O2.

Watch the EMEC case study on YouTubeopens in a new window 

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Want to know more?

If you'd like to learn more about Scotland's marine capabilities, get in touch with one of our expert advisers.

Phone: +44 300 013 2734opens in a new window