FOREST will drive groundbreaking advancements in subsea components and digital technologies for ocean energy systems, setting new global standards for durability, reliability, and efficiency in the sector. By addressing the most pressing challenges identified from 34 different device trials over the last 20 years at EMEC, the FOREST project will deliver transformative innovations. These include a 33kV super dynamic cable and spar connection hub specifically designed by Sub Connected for ocean energy arrays, an advanced cable quick connector system from Apollo that streamlines deployment and maintenance, and a cutting-edge optical measurement platform from Indeximate, incorporating artificial intelligence and machine learning from CENER and Intelligent Plant to measure cable and device health and optimise array performance. These technologies will be rigorously validated at EMEC’s internationally recognised wave and tidal test sites, leveraging €40M of established infrastructure and its world-leading wave and tidal developer companies. By meeting the highest international standards supported by Bureau Veritas, FOREST will generate invaluable knowledge on how to operate ocean energy devices, their availability, maintainability, reliability, survivability and sustainability and this new knowledge will be driven into the sector by the Wave Energy Centre. The outputs from FOREST will directly contribute to the 1GW Ocean Energy target outlined in the EU’s Strategy on Offshore Renewable Energy and the objectives in the Strategic Energy Technology (SET) Plan by addressing key technical, environmental, and economic barriers which will enhance the bankability and insurability of ocean energy systems. This will drive the global deployment of ocean energy farms, contributing to Europe’s leadership in clean energy innovation and supporting the transition to a net-zero economy.

In the face of increasing global competition and Europe's urgent need for energy independence, renewable energy is becoming the driving force of the future. Offshore wind energy is poised to lead this transition, particularly in deep waters where consistent winds and abundant space offer unparalleled potential. However, current floating wind solutions simply adapt horizontal-axis wind turbines from onshore and fixed-bottom offshore designs, a method that fails to fully optimize efficiency for floating environments The VERTI-GO project introduces an innovative floating vertical-axis wind turbine, specifically designed for offshore conditions from its inception. This technology offers key advantages over the current state-of-the-art floating wind solutions: - Simplified maintenance – The turbine eliminates the need for costly and time-consuming transport to shore for major repairs, reducing downtime. - Integrated design – By merging the tower and floater into a single structure, manufacturing and assembly processes are streamlined. - Lower CAPEX – The turbine’s lower center of gravity enables the use of a smaller spar floater, reducing material requirements and overall costs. Having already reached TRL5 with a 30kW demonstrator, the VERTI-GO project aims to scale up the technology to a 2MW floating wind demonstrator, operating in real conditions for 15 months. To achieve this, the project brings together key actors from across the offshore wind value chain, collaborating in three structured phases: planning and design, procurement, and operation. Given that the projected €15M funding is not sufficient for full deployment, the project will develop a comprehensive external funding strategy, integrating both public and private investment sources. End-user partners and additional contributors will be engaged to explore viable financing solutions. A go/no-go decision will be taken based on the outcomes of the external funding plan, planning phase, and feasibility