The European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC), based in Orkney, is the world’s leading test and demonstration facility for wave and tidal energy technologies. Since its establishment, EMEC has played a pivotal role in taking marine energy from concept to reality – providing the infrastructure, expertise and real-sea conditions needed to accelerate innovation.
We first met EMEC’s Corporate Affairs Director, Eileen Linklater, when she presented at the Marine Energy Conference, co‑hosted in March by Global Underwater Hub (GUH) and the UK Marine Energy Council.
And we caught up with her again to take a deep dive into EMEC’s work in innovation, marine energy’s contribution to the future energy mix, its economic impact and more…
What excites you the most about your work in wave and tidal energy?
What excites me most is the combination of global leadership and tangible local impact. EMEC is unique in that it sits at the forefront of a developing global industry: what we do in Orkney has a direct influence on how marine energy evolves internationally.
There’s still a huge untapped resource in our seas, and the opportunity to harness that in a way that is predictable, renewable and complementary to other energy sources is incredibly compelling. We are not just testing devices, we’re helping to unlock a new pillar of the global energy system.
At the same time, the benefits are rooted locally. We’ve seen first-hand how investment in marine energy supports jobs, skills and businesses in Orkney, and that model is highly transferable to other island and coastal communities across the UK and beyond. That combination of global relevance and local benefit is what makes the work so rewarding.
You’ve been at EMEC for more than 15 years – how have you seen the centre evolve in that time?
When I first joined EMEC, the focus was very much on single device prototypes, helping developers prove that their technologies could operate in real sea conditions.
Over the past 15 years, we’ve seen a significant shift. The sector is now moving towards arrays and early commercial deployment. That progression reflects both technological maturity and growing confidence from investors and policymakers.
Alongside this, EMEC itself has diversified. We’ve expanded beyond device testing into wider energy systems integration, looking at how marine energy connects with greenhydrogen and Efuel production, battery storage and increasingly, digital and data infrastructure.
When you spoke at the Marine Energy Conference, one of the many things that stood out was EMEC’s work with Microsoft on Project Natick. Will EMEC be exploring further support for data centre research?
Yes, absolutely. Our work with Microsoft on Project Natick demonstrated the potential for co-locating data infrastructure with renewable energy resources in innovative ways.
We are very interested in exploring this space further as part of a wider clean energy ecosystem. As demand for data and computing power increases, there is a growing need to align that demand with sustainable, resilient energy sources.
EMEC provides a unique environment to test and demonstrate how that integration could work in practice, linking marine energy generation with applications such as data centres, hydrogen production and other high-energy users. It’s about thinking holistically about how we design future energy systems.
How significant is the proposed expansion of EMEC’s tidal test site?
Expanding EMEC’s tidal test site represents an important step forward in scaling the marine energy sector.
One of the key challenges for wave and tidal energy has been moving from demonstration to deployment at scale. Our role is to try and bridge that gap by supporting the development of larger projects, driving down costs and improving competitiveness.
This also has a strong supply chain dimension. As projects scale, there is greater opportunity for UK companies to participate, particularly those with transferable expertise from offshore wind, oil and gas.
DeepWind – EMEC’s deepwater wind test site – commenced this year. Could you provide an update on its progress?
DeepWind is a really important project for us because it addresses a fundamental gap in the UK’s offshore wind landscape.
As offshore wind projects move into deeper waters, there is a growing need for floating technologies, but those technologies need to be proven at scale, in real-world conditions, before they can attract investment and be deployed commercially. At the moment, there is a lack of test environments that truly reflect the challenging conditions developers will face in UK waters.
Through DeepWind, EMEC is progressing plans for a dedicated deepwater and floating wind test and demonstration site off the west coast of Orkney. The aim is to provide a representative, highly energetic offshore environment where developers can test, refine and de-risk turbines, floating structures and mooring systems before moving to commercial deployment.
The project itself is now underway, with current activity focused on feasibility, design scoping and industry engagement (viat the DRIFT project supported by The Crown Estate). This includes environmental surveys and early-stage work to define the infrastructure needed to support the site, as well as engagement with developers, supply chain partners and investors.
Ultimately, DeepWind is about enabling the next phase of offshore wind: helping to reduce risk, support certification and build confidence in floating technologies. It also positions the UK to retain a leading role in what will be a major global growth sector, by ensuring we have the right testing infrastructure in place to support innovation and commercialisation.
What did winning the Supply Chain Development Award at the Scottish Green Energy Supply Chain Awards mean for EMEC?
Winning the Supply Chain Development Award was a really important recognition of the role EMEC plays beyond technology testing.
From the outset, we’ve worked closely with local, regional and national suppliers to ensure that they are part of the marine energy journey. That includes supporting companies to diversify, develop new capabilities and access emerging opportunities.
The award reflects that long-term commitment to building a resilient and competitive supply chain – one that can support not just projects in Orkney, but deployment across the UK and internationally.
It’s also a recognition of the collaborative effort involved. The success of the sector depends on strong partnerships, and this award highlights the value of that collective approach.
EMEC has had a major impact on Orkney’s economy. How will future investment in tidal stream/wave projects benefit the area and what is the potential?
EMEC has already delivered significant economic benefits to Orkney, supporting jobs, attracting investment and helping to establish the islands as a global centre of excellence for marine energy.
Looking ahead, the potential is substantial. As tidal stream and wave projects scale up, we expect to see increased demand for local services, infrastructure and skills. That creates opportunities for businesses across a wide range of sectors – from engineering and marine services to logistics and hospitality.
Expansion of tidal sites in particular could unlock further growth, with economic impact studies estimating a £500 million supply chain opportunity.
Importantly, the benefits are not confined to Orkney. Our experience – linking innovation, infrastructure and supply chain development – can be replicated in other coastal communities, supporting a broader transition to a low-carbon economy.
What’s on the horizon for EMEC for the remainder of 2026?
Overall, 2026 is about turning proven innovation into real opportunity. As the sector starts to scale, there’s growing interest from organisations looking to test new ideas, apply existing expertise in different ways, or play a role in emerging projects. That’s where EMEC can help – bringing together the facilities, experience and partnerships to support that journey in a practical, real-world setting.
We’re always keen to connect with organisations who are curious about where they fit in this transition, and how they can be part of what comes next.
For more information on EMEC, visit emec.org.uk