This Forum provides a platform for knowledge exchange, education and networking and brings together expertise in relevant areas such as marine renewable energy, oil and gas, marine planning, policy and social science. Strengthening coordination, building capacity, and improving the integration of multi- and interdisciplinary evidence into decision-making processes will be essential to enabling a just, timely, and environmentally responsible transition.
Check out the recording from the March 2026 Open Forum Session titled “Intelligent Workforce Strategies and Coastal Community Insights for a Just Marine Energy Transition”. Presentations were from:
The MASTS ASM is a cross-disciplinary event that brings together the marine science community, with the aim of promoting and communicating research excellence and forging new collaborations. The event includes expert plenary speakers, general science and panel sessions, and e-posters.
Please see here for an overview of all ASM programmes.
Marking its one year anniversary, the Forum organised an anniversary networking event at the ASM 2025. Please find the full programme here.
At this ASM the newly established Forum hosted an Inaugural Session, introducing its remits and objectives and invited the community to a discussion about future activities. Please see the full programme here.
The Policy and Innovation Group at the University of Edinburgh, in collaboration with the Supergen ORE Hub, Wave Energy Scotland and the Marine Energy Council, have published the 2024 UK Ocean Energy Review. More info here!
UK Offshore Renewable Energy in 2040: Building a Sustainable and Competitive ORE Sector on a Pathway to Net Zero by 2050
This report by the Supergen Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Hub puts emphasis on the need for urgent action in the offshore renewable energy sector to help the UK meet its Net Zero targets. Research and innovation are named as key factors, as well as the main areas of focus such as the consenting process, supply chain and infrastructure and workforce.
Webinar “Energy Innovation Emporium 2021: Accelerating the Contribution of Ocean Energy to Net Zero”
Lead by Gordon Hastie (University of St Andrews) in September 2021 and included MASTS Renewable Energy Forum members and speakers from ETP, IEA Ocean Energy Systems, Mocean Energy, Orbital Marine Power, Wave Energy Scotland, University of Edinburgh and the University of Strathclyde.
Watch the Webinar Here!
UK End User Engagement
View the UK end user engagement diagram for offshore renewables
Tethys Engineering Photo Library
Photos and illustrations of marine renewable energy devices, arrays, and facilities, available for free third party use.
PRIMRE – Portal & Repository for Information on Marine Renewable Energy
For access to information on projects and technologies, resource characterization, device performance, and environmental effects take a look here.
Report “Addressing the ecological implications of offshore renewable energy developments across receptor groups – shaping future marine energy research”
Final report from the ScotMER and MREF MASTS Workshop (Oct 5, 2019) Read the report here!
Strategy “An Offshore Renewable Energy Environmental Research & Innovation Strategy for the UK”
The principal aim of developing this environmental R&I strategy for UK ORE, is to set out the high level environmental R&I priorities for the next five to ten years, together with measures for coordinating activity across the various funding organisations and key stakeholder interests, to ensure that the general direction of travel is towards developing a sustainable ORE industry. (December 2018) More on the Strategy Here!
Understanding the Energy Transition
The energy transition refers to a shift away from using energy derived from fossil fuels (such as coal, oil, and gas) towards energy generated from alternative renewable sources (such as wind, tidal, and solar). These alternatives produce little or no carbon emissions and are therefore cleaner and more sustainable. The energy transition involves not only changes in energy production, but also broader shifts in infrastructure, regulation and consumption.
This Forum’s Purpose & What We’re Working to Address
This Forum aims at working with industry and policymakers and delivering impactful multi/inter-disciplinary research, as well as supporting capacity building for the energy transition. The marine energy transition presents both significant opportunities and considerable complexity. Achieving the pace and scale of change required to meet climate and energy targets involves system-wide challenges, including the advancement of scientific understanding, the development of new technologies, and the consideration of societal, environmental, and regulatory factors in planning and delivery.
Aims and Objectives
Thematic Focus
The shift from marine fossil fuels to alternative marine renewable fuels (offshore wind, tidal, wave, hydrogen). Key topics include:
Reader | Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
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Research Fellow
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Associate Professor Marine Governance & Blue Economy | PI of TRANSitions In Energy For Coastal Communities Over Time And Space (TRANSECTS) Project
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Environment Manager
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Research Fellow | Environmental Research Institute
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Environmental Engineer
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Deputy Director, Sea Mammal Research Unit
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Marine Planning & Policy Advisor
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Interdisciplinary Fellow
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Senior Ecological & Environmental Statistician
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Professor of Law, Centre for Energy Law
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Associate Professor
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Environmental & Social Discipline Lead – North Sea region
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Benthic Biogeochemist
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Programme lead of Heriot-Watt’s MSc in Renewable & Sustainable Energy Transition
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Professor | Co-Director of PeriDynamics Research Centre (PDRC)
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We’re working behind the scenes to bring you a suite of useful, and updateable, resources including:
If you would like to be updated when the resources section is live please let us know.
