Green Marine UK is poised for major growth as one of the most experienced players in the UK's rapidly expanding marine energy sector, as fresh studies underscore the vast potential of wave and tidal technologies.
With a long-standing track record delivering complex marine operations, vessel provision and engineering support for pioneering wave and tidal developers, Green Marine is currently a key partner in the 19 million WEDUSEA project - Europe's most ambitious wave energy demonstration to date. The initiative will see the deployment of a 1 MW floating wave energy converter at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney, further cementing Scotland's status as a global hub for marine renewables.
For Green Marine, it marks another milestone in a marine energy journey that has included support for breakthrough technologies from CorPower Ocean, Orbital Marine Power, AWS, SME, Pelamis, and others.
The firm's growing portfolio of specialised services includes mooring design, installation, and hookup, cable jointing, lay and pull-in, as well as diamond wire cutting and CFE (Controller Flow Excavation) for cable burial and deburial. In addition to the renewables sector, Green Marine UK anticipates its expertise in complex cable operations will lead to larger scale operations supporting the UK's intercountry power transmission cables - which are vital for networking and connecting power supplies across the country and abroad.
Momentum builds as recent independent research projects reveal the vast economic and energy potential of marine renewables in the UK. A March 2024 study by LUT University in Finland identified wave energy as a crucial pillar in the UK's push for 100% renewable energy by 2050, forecasting potential to harness up to 27 GW of wave energy.
According to the UK Marine Energy Council, the global marine energy market is forecast to be worth £76 billion by 2050. In the UK alone it could create up to 22,000 jobs by 2040, establishing robust supply chains and contributing billions to the economy. Every 1GW of deployed marine energy capacity would deliver an estimated £114 million in system benefits annually, while saving 113,000 tonnes of carbon emissions each year contributing significantly to the UK's net zero targets.
"Our deep involvement in marine energy spans more than a decade," said Myles Metson, Operations & Technology Director at Green Marine. "Projects like WEDUSEA allow us to apply that experience to help bring innovative technologies to market, while actively contributing to the UK's clean energy future. We are currently preparing for further offshore site investigation works for WEDUSEA, with installation to follow shortly after. Green Marine (UK) is providing support across a range of areas from early operational planning and site survey, to BoP assembly in Orkney, and ultimately the installation of the WEC. This includes full mooring installation and hook-up, as well as cable jointing, extension, and pull-in."
Green Marine UK recently announced a seven-figure investment in a new Subsea Services Department, supporting the UK's offshore wind and marine energy sectors. Backed by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), the package includes state-of-the-art subsea equipment from Rovtech (Seatronics), Sonardyne, Norbit, and others positioning the company to serve a subsea operations and maintenance (O&M) market expected to exceed £270 million by 2030, according to Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult (OREC).
The Orkney firm's renewables portfolio also includes extensive offshore wind experience delivering contracts for the world's largest offshore windfarm, Dogger Bank, and the world's largest floating offshore windfarm, Kincardine. Further projects have involved Moray East in the North Sea, Triton Knoll off the Lincolnshire coast and Greater Gabbard near Suffolk. In addition, Green Marine has supported a number of offshore windfarm sites currently under construction and development, including the Neart Na Gaoithe, West of Orkney, Inch Cape, MachairWind, Caledonia, Muir Mhòr, Pentland, and Salamander.
"Scotland has been leading the world in tidal stream and wave energy deployments for over a decade," said Green Marine Managing Director Jason Schofield. "The potential deployment of 9GW of marine energy in Scottish waters by 2050 not only supports Net Zero targets but strengthens energy security and industrial growth. To capitalise on this, it's vital that we build and maintain a resilient domestic supply chain led by Scottish expertise. Green Marine is investing in skills, infrastructure, and cutting-edge technology to ensure we're ready for the next wave of industry expansion."
With a combination of proven experience, technical capability, and strategic investment, Green Marine is well-positioned to help unlock the UK's full marine energy potential delivering clean power, high-value jobs, and a just transition for coastal communities across Scotland and beyond.
