Abstract
IEA-OES is the International Energy Agency’s Technology Collaboration Programme (TCP) dedicated to ocean energy systems (OES). Through the TCP framework, participating countries collaborate to accelerate research, innovation and deployment by sharing knowledge, developing common methodologies and delivering joint studies and Tasks that address technical, environmental and policy challenges. IEA-OES operates under the IEA Committee on Energy Research and Technology (CERT) and reports through the Renewable Energy Working Party (REWP). Activities are funded by participating members and implemented in close coordination with the IEA Secretariat, benefiting from the IEA’s established governance framework while retaining the flexibility needed to respond to evolving priorities.
As of December 2025, the IEA-OES has 20 active Member Countries along with the European Commission, establishing a robust international network. This diverse membership includes governmental bodies, utilities, universities, research organisations, energy agencies, and industry associations, providing a rich range of perspectives and interests.
One key advantage of joining IEA-OES is gaining an international perspective on ocean energy opportunities and challenges shaping the sector, supported by access to trusted and comparable information, practical guidance, and shared lessons from real projects. Membership also gives countries a direct role in shaping international priorities, strengthens visibility for national programmes, and helps reduce development and consenting risks through shared knowledge on environmental monitoring and regulatory pathways. This collaborative environment supports faster learning, stronger partnerships, and a more coordinated global approach to advancing ocean energy technologies and solutions.
The active members are: Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, European Commission, France, Japan, Korea, India, Ireland, Italy, Monaco, New Zealand, Netherlands, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, and United States of America. Small Island Developing States (SIDS) DOCK, representing 32 small islands and low-lying developing states across the globe, participates as an Observer.
This Annual Report presents the collaborative work of IEAOES, emphasizing key achievements and recent global developments. It addresses ocean energy policies, research advancements, and deployment progress across member countries, highlighting the collective impact and progress of this international cooperation.
The work of the IEA-OES covers all forms of energy generation in which sea water forms the motive power through its physical and chemical properties, i.e. wave, tidal range, tidal and ocean currents, ocean thermal energy conversion and salinity gradients. IEA-OES connects organisations and individuals working in the ocean energy sector to accelerate the viability, uptake and acceptance of ocean energy systems in an environmentally acceptable manner.