For decision makers, the assessment of the number of jobs related to the development of the ocean energy sector is of utmost importance. Various roadmaps have advanced figures for the 2025, 2030 and even 2050 horizons, but these numbers have become outdated as numerous ocean energy technologies are designed, tested and implemented in pilot farms.

A new project will assess an accurate total number of existing jobs directly related to the sector and validate an approach to assess jobs creation and update projections for the 2030/2050 horizons.

This project, commissioned by OES, will run for one year and will be conducted by a consortium comprising LOC Renewables (including Innosea), France Energies Marines and the Fraser of Allander Institute from the University of Strathclyde. The consortium will engage with all OES country members and representatives from the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission and from the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).

“I believe the outcomes of this study will help to motivate governments, corporations and agencies to further support the ocean energy sector by providing them with credible and unbiased information on the sensitive issue of jobs creation,” said Henry Jeffrey of University of Edinburgh and chairperson of OES.