The opening session of the conference set the scene for the three days ahead, highlighting 25 years of international cooperation, the opportunities offered by the Dutch innovation ecosystem and growing momentum for ocean energy around the world.

Matthijs Soede, Chair of IEA-OES, marked 25 years of international cooperation through IEA Ocean Energy Systems: “Twenty-five years ago, several countries came together to establish IEA-OES, with a mission to connect, educate and inspire the ocean energy community and facilitate the development and deployment of ocean energy. We are here today to see how far we have progressed, to learn from each other, to be inspired, to build new collaborations and to discuss how we move forward.”

Welcoming the international ocean energy community to Zuid-Holland, Arno Bonte, Regional Minister for Energy at the Province of Zuid-Holland, highlighted the region’s potential as a testing ground for new energy technologies: “Zuid-Holland has a unique combination of knowledge, entrepreneurship, industry and the North Sea on its doorstep. This allows us to test and advance new energy technologies—taking them from the drawing board into practice.”

Peter Scheijgrond, Chairman of the Dutch Energy from Water Association (EWA), highlighted the strength of the Dutch ocean energy ecosystem and the opportunities to develop, test and demonstrate new technologies in the Netherlands: “ICOE OEE 2026 is a unique opportunity to showcase Dutch ocean energy innovations, research and testing facilities, and our offshore and maritime capabilities to a global audience. It is an important step in strengthening international collaboration and accelerating the industrial development of ocean energy.”

Rounding off the opening session, Rémi Gruet, CEO of Ocean Energy Europe, pointed to developments across the world that are bringing ocean energy closer to industrialization:

“Europe has 200 MW of publicly supported projects moving towards deployment, Canada is backing tidal energy again, China has set a 400 MW ocean energy target, and the US has opened the new PacWave test centre. The conference shows answers from around the world to global energy and climate issues—all bringing the industry closer to industrialization.”

ICOE OEE 2026 combines the biennial International Conference on Ocean Energy (ICOE) with Ocean Energy Europe’s annual Conference & Exhibition. The joint event gives the global ocean energy sector an opportunity to come together, exchange knowledge, network and do business. The three-day program covers technology and policy developments alongside side events, networking opportunities and site visits showcasing Dutch ocean energy innovation.

ICOE OEE 2026 is organized by IEA-OES and Ocean Energy Europe, with local host EWA, and with the support of Marine Renewables Canada, the Province of Zuid-Holland, the City of The Hague, HydroQuest, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), Blackfish Engineering, DMEC and Team Scotland.

For the full ICOE OEE 2026 program, visit the conference website.