Europe’s leading ocean energy industry will assemble in Nantes, France today at the Ocean Energy Europe 2017 Conference & Exhibition to assess its progress towards commercialisation.

Despite political uncertainties, the sector has demonstrated its resilience over the past 12 months by generating record-breaking performance data, beginning the scale-up to commercial production, and opening export markets.

During a 2-day event, over 400 senior industry and public representatives, as well as more than 60 exhibiting companies will gather. In recognition of France’s emergence as a global leader in ocean energy development, this year’s event takes place at the heart of the French maritime industry in Nantes.

Opening the conference, Ocean Energy Europe CEO, Rémi Gruet, said: “Over the past 12 months, ocean energy has continued its steady march towards industrialisation, despite the challenging political climate”.

“We are seeing the emergence of a new industry” continued Gruet, “Pilot farms, which hit the water in 2016, have delivered valuable performance data and learnings in 2017. Building on this, the industry is constructing the world’s first ocean energy factories in Europe, clearing the way to volume scale-up and cost reductions.

French and European companies are already leading the way globally. The industry is opening global export markets, and the first ocean energy orders are now being placed from Japan, Indonesia, Philippines, and Canada.”

Ocean Energy Europe takes place on 25-26 October in La Cité in Nantes, France.