Orbital Marine O2 Tidal Turbine
Fall of Warness, Orkney, Scotland · 2021–Present (Commenced power generation July 2021) [1]
The judgement call
Account-gated at launchThe Orbital O2 is described as the world's most powerful and advanced tidal turbine. Its deployment in Orkney marks a significant step in advancing tidal energy technology and demonstrating its commercial viability. [1]
Key engineering challenges
Designing a floating tidal turbine capable of operating in harsh marine environments. [3] - Developing retractable leg structures for low-cost access and maintenance. [5] - Maximizing power generation efficiency from tidal currents. [3] - Ensuring long-term reliability and survivability of the turbine in dynamic ocean conditions. [3]
Project facts
- Client / owner
- Orbital Marine Power
- Lead contractor
- —
- Lead designers
- Orbital Marine Power
- Project type
- new build (turbine development and deployment)
- Scale
- 2 MW+ capacity; 74 m long cylindrical floating steel superstructure; twin 1 MW power generating nacelles; 18 m long legs. [3] [4]
- Disciplines
- marine; mechanical; electrical; hydrodynamics; materials science; project management
- Standards & frameworks
- Marine energy standards, IECRE Feasibility Statement. [6]
Sources: Orbital Marine Power: First milestone passed as Orbital prepares for first dip into US waters (https://www.orbitalmarine.com/orbital-prepares-for-us-waters/) [1] - Orbital Marine Power: Demystifying the Cost of Tidal Energy (https://www.orbitalmarine.com/demystifying-the-cost-of-tidal-energy/) [2] - Tethys: Orbital Marine Power O2 at EMEC (https://tethys.pnnl.gov/project-sites/orbital-marine-power-o2-emec) [3] - EMEC: Orbital Marine Power (https://www.emec.org.uk/about-us/our-tidal-clients/orbital-marine-power/) [4] - Abundance Investment: Orbital Marine Power (Orkney) Debenture 2 (https://www.abundanceinvestment.com/invest/orbital-marine-power-orkney-debenture-2) [5] - LR: LR issues IECRE Feasibility Statement to Orbital (https://www.lr.org/en/knowledge/press-room/press-listing/press-release/2025/iecre-feasibility-statement-issued-to-orbital-marine-power-for-pioneering-o2-x-tidal-energy-converter/) [6]