EMEC

EMEC, the European Marine Energy Centre, is a test facility for wave and tidal energy converters located in Orkney, Scotland. Established in 2003 with support from public authorities and European funding, it operates as a grid-connected testing hub designed to de-risk marine energy technologies by enabling demonstrations in real sea conditions and at pre-commercial scales.

The centre runs two principal test sites. The wave energy site is at Billia Croo on the Orkney Mainland and is used for testing wave energy converters under real offshore conditions. The tidal energy site is The Fall of Warness, near Eday, where participants can test tidal turbines in strong tidal streams connected to the regional grid. These sites provide standardized conditions and robust safety and environmental monitoring to support device developers.

EMEC provides a range of services to developers and researchers. It maintains grid connections, power management systems, and instrumentation for data acquisition, along with metering and technical support. The organization emphasizes safety, environmental stewardship, and the collection of performance and resource data to support independent assessment and optimization of devices.

As a neutral testing authority, EMEC aims to accelerate commercialization of ocean energy technologies by offering accessible, repeatable, and well-instrumented testing environments. It collaborates with international developers, researchers, industry partners, and policymakers, hosting demonstrations that contribute to benchmarking, certification, and the broader development of the marine energy sector. The data and insights generated at EMEC are used to inform design improvements, regulatory considerations, and investment decisions within the sector.