About usThe Policy and Innovation Research Group analyses the dynamics of innovation in offshore renewable energy systems. Specialising in technology assessment and the relationships between policy, investment and innovation, we provide trusted analysis and advice throughout a network of academic research, industry and policy stakeholders.
More about the Group. |
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Latest Updates

Future Economic Potential of Tidal Stream & Wave Energy in Scotland
January 2025
This latest report from Policy & Innovation Group at the University of Edinburgh highlights the potential economic benefit of tidal stream and wave energy in Scotland.
Read more and download the report.
January 2025
This latest report from Policy & Innovation Group at the University of Edinburgh highlights the potential economic benefit of tidal stream and wave energy in Scotland.
- Nearly 9 GW of tidal stream and wave energy could be deployed in Scottish waters by 2050.
- Projects across the UK could generate over £8bn in economic benefit to the Scottish economy by 2050.
- These deployments could contribute over 15,000 jobs in 2050.
Read more and download the report.

2024 UK Ocean Energy Review
A Year of Marked Progress for the UK Ocean Energy Sector
Published 30 Jan. 2025.
The Policy and Innovation Group at The University of Edinburgh, in collaboration with the Supergen ORE Hub, Wave Energy Scotland and the Marine Energy Council, are pleased to announce the publication of the 2024 UK Ocean Energy Review that summarises the progress of ocean energy technology, markets and policy achieved by the UK in the last year.
Read more and download the report.
A Year of Marked Progress for the UK Ocean Energy Sector
Published 30 Jan. 2025.
The Policy and Innovation Group at The University of Edinburgh, in collaboration with the Supergen ORE Hub, Wave Energy Scotland and the Marine Energy Council, are pleased to announce the publication of the 2024 UK Ocean Energy Review that summarises the progress of ocean energy technology, markets and policy achieved by the UK in the last year.
Read more and download the report.
Upcoming Policy & Innovation Group report quoted in Westminster
16 Jan. 2025
Results from an upcoming report by the Policy & Innovation Group were quoted by Alistair Carmichael MP in his opening remarks to the recent Backbench Business debate on UK Government support for the marine renewables industry. He expressed his hope that this work will be able to “significantly progress the debate [on marine energy] as we head towards AR7”.
The report “Future economic potential of Tidal Stream & Wave Energy in Scotland” was published early in February 2025.
You can watch the debate on Parliament TV or read the transcript in Hansard.
16 Jan. 2025
Results from an upcoming report by the Policy & Innovation Group were quoted by Alistair Carmichael MP in his opening remarks to the recent Backbench Business debate on UK Government support for the marine renewables industry. He expressed his hope that this work will be able to “significantly progress the debate [on marine energy] as we head towards AR7”.
The report “Future economic potential of Tidal Stream & Wave Energy in Scotland” was published early in February 2025.
You can watch the debate on Parliament TV or read the transcript in Hansard.

The Ocean Energy Policymakers Toolkit
21 Sept. 2023
Forming a clear, consistent and coordinated policy framework is a vital step in helping to accelerate the commercialisation and long-term viability of the ocean energy sector. For prospective policy-makers, attempting to do so can raise many questions:
Read more and download the reports.
21 Sept. 2023
Forming a clear, consistent and coordinated policy framework is a vital step in helping to accelerate the commercialisation and long-term viability of the ocean energy sector. For prospective policy-makers, attempting to do so can raise many questions:
- What represents a realistic deployment target?
- What are the potential socio-economic benefits?
- How can ocean energy benefit the national energy system
- How should future challenge areas be identified, targeted and budgeted for?
- Most importantly of all, what will be the costs and how will they be responsibly funded?
Read more and download the reports.
Our Team
The Policy and Innovation Group is composed by enthusiastic researchers dedicated to the analysis and promotion of ocean energy. The team is led by Mr Henry Jeffrey, Senior Lecturer at the University of Edinburgh.
Henry Jeffrey
Head of Policy and Innovation Group |
The Team |
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