The publication “Ocean Energy and the Regions: a partnership for growth” was released on Tuesday, October 30, at Ocean Energy Europe 2018 by the FORESEA project.

It confirms the establishment of clusters of ocean energy and supply chain companies around a premier network of EU test centers. It showcases technologies manufactured close to the ocean, reducing costs and making extensive use of local skills and infrastructure.

FORESEA, an €11m project, helps bring offshore renewable energy technologies to market by offering free access to a world-leading network of test centers: EMEC (UK), DMEC (NL), SEM REV (FR) and SmartBay (IE).

The publication highlights the already visible mutually-beneficial relationship between ocean energy and coastal communities, with economic clusters forming around European test centers. It includes regional profiles, illustrating how this technology creates new economic momentum and can supply jobs in local markets thriving with underused expertise and skills.

By 2050 and given the right support, the ocean energy sector could be worth €53bn a year globally and generate 400,000 jobs in Europe, providing growth to European coastal regions for decades to come.

Rémi Gruet, Ocean Energy Europe CEO, said:

“By funding ocean energy demonstration, the FORESEA project contributes to and showcases ocean energy’s major impact on European regions, nations and states in terms of economic growth, investments and jobs. It is only fitting to release this publication at OEE2018, as this year’s ocean energy conference explores the theme: ‘Working locally, growing globally.”