New fund launched to fuel ocean energy research and demonstration

The fund, which is being delivered as part of the OCEANERA-NET COFUND project, brings together a consortium of seven governments and agencies from across Europe who are committed to advancing research and development in the marine energy sector. 

Financed by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Programme; the initiative will open next month to companies and research organisations in Scotland, Brittany, Pays de La Loire, Ireland, Spain, Sweden and the Basque Country. The fund will support collaborative research projects which demonstrate and validate ocean energy technologies.

Paul Wheelhouse, Minister for Business, Innovation and Energy, Scottish Government said:

“I am delighted that Scotland is once again at the forefront of supporting the ocean energy sector.  Along with our seven consortium partners and the European Union we recognise the huge potential that ocean energy has to offer in creating a fair, low carbon economy, attracting investment and creating high value jobs while securing the benefits across our communities.

“I am very proud of the strong trade record of the marine energy sector in Scotland which has been making positive headlines across the world. Despite challenges the sector has faced, I believe the industry has a bright future in Scotland and globally and we are steadfast in our support for both wave and tidal energy.” 

The development of the project was led by the Scottish Government alongside its economic development agency, Scottish Enterprise.

Jan Reid of Scottish Enterprise’s marine and low carbon technologies team said, “This project provides a significant opportunity for collaboration and innovation in ocean energy.  Companies can choose to participate with European partners in what I hope will be new breakthrough projects to demonstrate the potential for ocean energy in renewable energy generation.  We are pleased to be working with our European partners in the development and delivery of this significant project.”

Exploiting power generated primarily from waves and tides, but also salinity gradient and ocean thermal energy conversion, offers significant potential to contribute to Europe’s future energy needs and boasts longer term international business growth opportunities.

The European Ocean Energy Forum Strategic Roadmap, published in November 2016 sets out ambition for Europe to become a leader in the future global market which is worth a potential 653 billion euros between 2010 and 2050.

ABOUT OCEANERA-NET COFUND

The Ocean Energy European Research Area Network Cofund project was launched in January 2017.

Cofunded by the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme of the European Union, it brings together a consortium of eight national and regional government agencies from across Europe to support collaborative research and development projects which demonstrate and validate ocean energy technologies. Seven of the agencies are providing fund for the first call.

The project also aims to improve coordination of research activity, knowledge transfer and exploitation of results from funded projects.

Partners include:

• Centro Para el Desarrollo Technologico Industrial, Spain
• Ente Vasco de la Energía (Basque Energy Agency), the Basque Country, Spain
• Fundação para a Ciência e a Technologia, Portugal
• Région Bretagne, France
• Région Pays de la Loire, France
• Scottish Enterprise, Scotland, UK
• Statens Energimyndighet (Swedish Energy Agency), Sweden
• The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, Ireland

Further Information:

For further information contact Karen.fraser@scotent.co.uk

The project website is: https://www.oceancofund.eu/

Specific information for Scottish applicants can be found at:

https://www.scottish-enterprise.com/knowledge-hub/articles/insight/ocean-energy-funding-call