Coordinated by the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) based in Orkney, Scotland, the three-year project aims to enhance the performance of ocean energy arrays, reduce the levelised cost of energy (LCOE), foster sustainability of ocean energy systems, and accelerate market readiness. FOREST will also generate and share knowledge on how to operate ocean energy farms, Improving their availability, maintainability, reliability, survivability and sustainability.

 

Matthew Finn, Managing Director, EMEC said: 

 

“The FOREST project marks a major step forward for ocean energy, bringing together leading expertise from across Europe to tackle some of the sector’s most persistent challenges. By developing and testing next-generation subsea technologies here in Orkney, we’re advancing the reliability and efficiency of the ancillary systems crucial for ocean energy array deployments and helping to drive down costs. This collaboration demonstrates the power of innovation and partnership in accelerating the transition to clean, sustainable energy.” 

 
The project will deliver three major innovations: 

 

• 33 kV super dynamic cables and connection hub for ocean energy arrays, designed by SubConnected; 

• A subsea cable quick connector system to streamline deployment and maintenance, developed by Apollo; and 

• A cutting-edge optical measurement platform by Indeximate incorporating artificial intelligence and machine learning from CENER and Intelligent Plant to measure cable and device health and optimise array performance

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These innovations will be rigorously tested at EMEC’s world-renowned wave and tidal test sites in Orkney, Scotland, working in collaboration with wave and tidal energy developer companies. Bureau Veritas  will ensure compliance with the highest international certification standards.

 

By tackling critical technical, environmental and economic barriers, FOREST will strengthen the bankability and insurability of ocean energy projects. Its outcomes are expected to reduce cable and connection failures.

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FOREST directly supports the EU Strategy on Offshore Renewable Energy and the Strategic Energy Technology (SET) Plan, contributing to the EU’s 1 GW ocean energy target. By advancing new technologies and improving system reliability, the project will enhance investor confidence, reduce costs and accelerate the global deployment of ocean energy farms. 

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The consortium includes: EMEC (Coordinator), Apollo (UK); Bureau Veritas; CENER – National Renewable Energy Centre (Spain); Indeximate; Intelligent Plant; SubConnected (Sweden); and WavEC Offshore Renewables (Portugal). 

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European Commission DG MARE or DG ENER

Quote Pending

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Scottish Government - Gillian Martin MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy

Quote Pending

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Steve Aitken - Intelligent Plant Founder

Countries are switching to renewable electricity at an unprecedented pace. To maintain this momentum and truly transform the energy sector, we need effective ways of managing the operations and maintenance of renewable assets. AI presents a powerful solution. Through FOREST, Intelligent Plant will develop AI tools that help operators spot issues earlier, reduce site visits, and optimise operations, keeping assets in optimal working order whilst maximising efficiency and energy production. Building on our recent AI project experience, we're excited to collaborate with our FOREST partners to deliver solutions that can make a real difference to the energy transition.

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For more information contact: 

 

Erika Kemp (Coordinator) Erika.kemp@emec.org.uk

Janete Correia (Communication) janete.correia@wavec.org

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• EMEC:  www.emec.org.uk

• Apollo: www.apollo.engineer

• Bureau Veritas:  www.bureauveritas.co.uk

• CENER:  www.cener.com

• Indeximate:  www.indeximate.com

• Intelligent Plant:  www.intelligentplant.com

• SubConnected:  www.subconnected.com

• WaveEC Offshore Renewables:  www.wavec.org

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