The European Commission has given its approval to UK renewable energy company Orbital Marine Power for a tidal energy array to be deployed at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney, Scotland.
The Go Decision comes as the EURO-TIDES project has passed a formal review of its engineering, permits and financing, allowing it to move into construction, with deployment anticipated in 2028, subject to completion of Orbital's current investment round.
To remind, the European Commission selected Orbital in October 2023 to lead delivery of the array under Horizon Europe funding.
The tidal energy array will comprise four Orbital turbines - three next-generation O2-X and one O2, which has been generating power for the UK grid since July 2021 - built and connected to operate as a single coordinated tidal energy farm.
According to the UK firm, the project will be the first time Orbital turbines have been deployed and operated together as a connected array.
“The European Commission’s Go Decision for EURO-TIDES is a powerful vote of confidence in both Orbital’s technology and tidal energy’s readiness to move into its next phase of commercial development. Having successfully proven the O2, we are now taking the next major step, demonstrating that our turbines can operate together as a connected array at commercial scale," said Oliver Wragg, Development Director of Orbital Marine Power.
"This is a landmark moment for Orbital and an important milestone for the wider tidal energy industry as Europe moves from proving individual devices to deploying multi-turbine tidal farms. This is exactly the kind of strategic public investment that transforms pioneering technology into industrial capability, and we’re proud to be leading that work from Orkney.”
EURO-TIDES will be capable of supplying clean power for around 9,200 homes once operational.
The project is being delivered in partnership with Center for Wind Power Drives (CWD) at RWTH Aachen, EMEC, Énergie de la Lune, ENGIE Laborelec, MaraSoft, Ocean Energy Europe, and the University of Edinburgh.
"This achievement shows how European public investment is turning innovation into industrial reality. Tidal energy is ready to contribute to the objectives of the European Green Deal and Europe’s climate neutrality ambitions by delivering predictable, home-grown renewable power that strengthens energy security and complements wind and solar," said Rémi Gruet, CEO of Ocean Energy Europe.
"The next challenge is clear: turning successful flagship projects like EURO-TIDES into a pipeline of commercial deployments across Europe. With the right market framework and continued policy support, Europe can remain the global leader in tidal energy, delivering economic growth, industrial leadership and clean, secure energy for Europeans.”