Tidal energy: European Commission gives Go decision to Orbital's Euro-tides array in Orkney, Scotland

Orbital Marine Power announced on 12 October 2026 that the European Commission has given its "Go Decision" to Euro-tides, a four-turbine tidal energy array to be deployed at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney, Scotland. The decision clears the project for construction, with deployment targeted for 2028, subject to completion of Orbital's current investment round.

The Commission selected Orbital in October 2023 to lead the array under Horizon Europe funding. The project has since passed a formal review of its engineering, permits and financing, the company says. Euro-tides aims to show that several turbines can be built, connected and operated reliably at scale, beyond single-device deployments.

The array will combine three next-generation O2-X turbines and one O2, which has…