Funders

EMEC is a not for profit, private company, limited by guarantee.

EMEC was established in 2003 by a grouping of public sector organisations, following a recommendation by the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee to set up a national test facility to kick start a marine energy industry in the UK.

To date, around £45 million of funding has been invested in the Centre by the public sector, including Orkney Islands Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Government, UK Government, The Carbon Trust, and the European Union.

The EMEC’s Board is extremely grateful that the public sector recognises the importance and potential of the marine renewable industry in this way.  EMEC has been largely self-sufficient since 2011 as it has secured both competitively won research funding and commercial work.

A 2023 economic impact assessment showed that, as a result of EMEC’s operations over the last two decades (and the £42 million that had been invested by the public sector to this point), £370 million GVA has been added to the UK economy. This represents approximately £9 returned to the economy for every £1 of public investment.