We have a long tradition of harnessing the power of nature to heat our homes and drive machinery. Today, Orkney is also leading the world in the development of marine renewable energy, and is home to The European Marine Energy Centre: the world’s first and only real-sea facility for testing machines that generate electricity from waves and tides. With the Atlantic Ocean crashing against the West coast, and the tides rushing between islands to and from the North Sea, Orkney is the perfect testing ground for marine energy converters.

There are various sites around Orkney where you can see these leading technologies being developed and tested, including EMEC’s wave test site at Billia Croo near Stromness, and the tidal test site at the Fall of Warness off the northern isle of Eday. When devices are not being tested on site, you may spot them at one of Orkney’s marine renewables port facilities at Hatston Pier in Kirkwall, Lyness Pier in Hoy, and Copland’s Dock in Stromness.

Every renewable energy project is undertaken with careful consideration of the environment, so that Orkney’s heritage, beauty and ecology are protected.