Top 10 Marine Energy Startups to Watch
Introduction
The sea is evolving from merely a route for international commerce into a significant source of renewable energy. As the impacts of climate change escalate and the demand for clean energy increases, marine energy startups are stepping up to meet the challenge. These trailblazers are harnessing the vast, unexploited potential of tides, waves, and ocean currents.
In this piece, we examine the 10 marine energy startups to watch in 2025. These enterprises are redefining the frontiers of technology and sustainability, presenting promising alternatives for the global shift towards cleaner energy. Let’s find out who is truly making a splash—both literally and metaphorically.
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Orbital Marine Power (Scotland)
What Sets Them Apart:
Orbital Marine Power has created one of the most sophisticated floating tidal turbine systems—the O2 turbine, which started commercial operations in 2021. Since its launch, it has demonstrated its capacity to generate clean energy for thousands of homes across the UK.
What Makes Them Distinct:
Their turbine remains on the surface while generating power underwater, facilitating easy maintenance and scalable implementation.
Highlight Project:
The O2 tidal turbine, capable of supplying up to 2 MW of electricity to the grid.
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Minesto (Sweden)
What Sets Them Apart:
Their technology operates in low-flow tidal regions that conventional turbines cannot reach, unlocking new opportunities for marine energy.
What Makes Them Distinct:
Their technology operates in low-flow tidal regions that conventional turbines cannot reach, unlocking new opportunities for marine energy.
Highlight Project:
Deep Green project in the Faroe Islands, where the company is establishing commercial-scale operations.
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Eco Wave Power (Israel)
What Sets Them Apart:
Eco Wave Power is among the few firms producing grid-connected wave energy from devices mounted on breakwaters, eliminating the need for offshore moorings or underwater cables.
What Makes Them Distinct:
Cost-efficient, scalable, and easy to install close to shore—ideal for port cities.
Highlight Project:
Jaffa Port project and plans for expansion across Europe and the United States.
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SIMEC Atlantis Energy (UK)
What Sets Them Apart:
With extensive experience in the marine energy sector, SIMEC Atlantis Energy continues to innovate with tidal arrays and hybrid energy systems.
What Makes Them Distinct:
Their MeyGen project in Scotland is recognized as the world’s largest tidal Stream Energy initiative.
Highlight Project:
MeyGen Phase 2, anticipated to expand to 86 MW shortly.
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AW-Energy (Finland)
What Sets Them Apart:
Developers of the WaveRoller, AW-Energy has discovered a method to exploit the surge motion of ocean waves close to shore—something many competitors overlook.
What Makes Them Distinct:
Their devices are submerged and nearly invisible, making them perfect for environmentally sensitive coastal regions.
Highlight Project:
Pilot WaveRoller project off the coast of Portugal.
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Nova Innovation (Scotland)
What Sets Them Apart:
Nova Innovation is at the forefront of community-scale tidal energy, providing solutions for small islands and remote coastal regions.
What Makes Them Distinct:
They were pioneers in supplying power to homes and businesses from a tidal array without governmental subsidies.
Highlight Project:
Bluemull Sound tidal array in the Shetland Islands.
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Bombora Wave Power (Australia/Wales)
Why They Shine:
Bombora’s mWave apparatus converts wave energy into compressed air, subsequently powering a turbine—an effective and groundbreaking method.
What Sets Them Apart:
Their adaptable membrane technology minimizes wear and enhances dependability in challenging marine environments.
Highlighted Project:
Pembrokeshire Demonstration Project located in Wales.
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Seabased (Sweden)
Why They Shine:
Seabased is creating wave energy parks utilizing linear generators situated in buoys. Their plug-and-play model is attractive to utilities and coastal regions.
What Sets Them Apart:
Their modular energy parks can be easily scaled and tailored to meet local needs.
Highlighted Project:
Wave energy park in Ghana, one of Africa’s initial commercial wave power initiatives.
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Ocean Power Technologies (USA)
Why They Shine:
With years of research and development, Ocean Power Technologies is a leader in PowerBuoy systems, providing power and data for offshore monitoring, defense, and oil & gas sectors.
What Sets Them Apart:
Their PowerBuoy is capable of functioning autonomously for extended periods, supporting offshore sensors, subsea vehicles, and more.
Highlighted Project:
Collaborations with the U.S. Navy and Shell.
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Sustainable Marine (Germany/Canada)
Why They Shine:
Sustainable Marine has crafted a plug-and-play tidal platform that can be towed, installed, and scaled with minimal ecological disruption.
What Sets Them Apart:
Their floating platform is perfect for island nations and developing markets aiming for energy autonomy.
Highlighted Project:
Tidal energy array in Nova Scotia, Canada.
Why These Startups Are Important
The shift to renewable energy encompasses more than just solar panels and wind farms nowadays. Marine energy startups are revealing new opportunities in clean power, especially for coastal regions, islands, and countries with extensive ocean territories. Additionally, as advancements in battery storage and grid integration progress, the significance of reliable ocean energy—such as tidal and wave energy—will grow increasingly important.
These startups are not merely developing technologies—they’re influencing the future of energy, one ocean at a time.
Final Reflections
From floating tidal turbines to submerged wave converters, these leading marine energy startups are set to transform the global renewable energy landscape. Although challenges such as funding, scalability, and regulations persist, their advancements provide optimism for a cleaner, bluer world.
As we advance towards a net-zero future, keep a keen eye on these innovators—they may very well drive the next wave of sustainable change.
