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. |
Video courtesy of IEA OES.
|
Latest Updates
|
2025 UK Ocean Energy Review
February 2026 The Policy and Innovation Group at the University of Edinburgh, alongside the Supergen ORE Hub, Wave Energy Scotland, and the Marine Energy Council, is pleased to announce the publication of the 2025 UK Ocean Energy Annual Review. This report documents the strong progress achieved by the UK ocean energy sector throughout 2025. It aims to support continued sector momentum by providing updates on the latest developments from the UK’s world-leading technology developers, its innovative R&D programmes, and its internationally recognised test facilities. The report expands on the UK chapter of the International Energy Agency Ocean Energy Systems (IEA-OES) Annual Report, produced by the Policy and Innovation Group on behalf of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. Read more and download the report. |
Disruptive Innovation and Industrial Modernisation:
Pathways to Securing Offshore Renewable Energy Supply Chain Competitiveness
January 2026
This latest report from the Policy & Innovation Group at the University of Edinburgh, in collaboration with the Supergen ORE Hub, examines how disruptive innovation and industrial modernisation can strengthen the UK’s offshore renewable energy supply chain competitiveness.
The report explores how the UK can move beyond incremental growth to adopt a Disrupt and Modernise approach, enabling a leapfrogging transition in the development and manufacture of high-value offshore renewable energy technologies, subsystems and components.
With international competition intensifying and climate timelines compressing, strengthening UK clean energy supply chain competitiveness is critical. The UK has the opportunity to not only establish itself as a leading location for ORE innovation, but also to become the nation synonymous with translating advances in technology, materials and manufacturing processes into competitive, scalable industrial production.
To support this ambition, the report sets out a policy framework designed to translate innovation leadership into industrial capability, helping to secure long-term socioeconomic value, support a Just Transition, and maximise carbon reductions across the offshore renewable energy sector.
Read more and download the report here.
Pathways to Securing Offshore Renewable Energy Supply Chain Competitiveness
January 2026
This latest report from the Policy & Innovation Group at the University of Edinburgh, in collaboration with the Supergen ORE Hub, examines how disruptive innovation and industrial modernisation can strengthen the UK’s offshore renewable energy supply chain competitiveness.
The report explores how the UK can move beyond incremental growth to adopt a Disrupt and Modernise approach, enabling a leapfrogging transition in the development and manufacture of high-value offshore renewable energy technologies, subsystems and components.
With international competition intensifying and climate timelines compressing, strengthening UK clean energy supply chain competitiveness is critical. The UK has the opportunity to not only establish itself as a leading location for ORE innovation, but also to become the nation synonymous with translating advances in technology, materials and manufacturing processes into competitive, scalable industrial production.
To support this ambition, the report sets out a policy framework designed to translate innovation leadership into industrial capability, helping to secure long-term socioeconomic value, support a Just Transition, and maximise carbon reductions across the offshore renewable energy sector.
Read more and download the report here.
The Offshore Renewable Energy Policymakers Toolkit
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.
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 and timeline?
- What are the potential socio-economic benefits that the UK can expect to gain?
- How will ocean energy benefit a future Net Zero national energy system?
- How should future innovation challenge areas be identified, targeted and budgeted for?
- What are the long-term costs associated with policy support for the ocean energy sector and how will they be responsibly funded?
- What steps are required to develop the underpinning supply chain to capture the economic benefit on offer?
Read more and download the reports.
Projects
|
|
Contact
|
The University of Edinburgh
School of Engineering Faraday Building, The King's Buildings Colin Maclaurin Road Edinburgh EH9 3DW Tel: +44 (0)131 650 5570 |