At the closing of the Ocean Energy Europe Conference & Exhibition (OEE2025) in Brussels, it was announced that the next edition of the international offshore energy conference will take place in The Hague, the Netherlands.
From 5 to 7 October 2026, the Netherlands will host the combined International Conference on Ocean Energy & Ocean Energy Europe (ICOE-OEE 2026), a merger of two leading global events in the field of energy from water.
The conference will bring together the international offshore energy community to exchange knowledge, strengthen collaboration, and present the latest technologies in tidal, wave, OTEC, hydropower, salinity gradient energy, and more.
The event is organised by Ocean Energy Europe (OEE) in collaboration with the International Energy Agency – Ocean Energy Systems (IEA-OES) and the Dutch Energy from Water Association (EWA), which serves as the local host.
Peter Scheijgrond, Chair of EWA and colleague of Campus@Sea, describes the announcement as an important step forward:
“Hosting ICOE-OEE 2026 in The Hague is a major milestone for the Dutch offshore energy sector. It provides a unique opportunity to showcase our innovations, research and testing facilities to a global audience. This collaboration strengthens international connections and accelerates the industrial development of energy from water.”
The conference marks a significant moment for the Netherlands as a maritime innovation hub. With Scheveningen harbour as a centre for research, testing and entrepreneurship at sea, the event aligns with The Hague’s ambitions to further strengthen its position within the blue economy.
The Hague as a hub for maritime innovation
Saskia Bruines, Alderman for Economic Development of The Hague, emphasised during the announcement:
“The Hague is proud to host ICOE-OEE 2026. As a coastal city with strong ambitions in the blue and impact economies, we see marine energy as a key driver of sustainable innovation. This event perfectly fits our vision for the Scheveningen harbour area, where we are focusing on maritime innovation and entrepreneurship.”
The ICOE-OEE 2026 programme will feature a large exhibition hall, multiple conference tracks on technology and policy, networking sessions, side events, and a site visit to leading Dutch test locations and companies active in the sector.
The International Conference on Ocean Energy (ICOE) is a biennial global event dedicated to advancing the industrial development of marine renewable energy. The conference is an initiative of the IEA-OES (International Energy Agency Ocean Energy Systems).
According to Matthijs Soede, Chair of the IEA-OES:
“Our goal is to connect and inspire organisations and individuals working in the offshore energy sector. The collaboration between OEE and ICOE is a great example of how international knowledge exchange can accelerate innovation.”
Rémi Gruet, CEO of Ocean Energy Europe, also sees great potential in the partnership:
“Following the success of the joint edition in San Sebastian in 2022, we look forward to working together again in The Hague. With the support of the local host EWA and our Dutch partners, we aim to present to the world the latest developments in offshore energy technologies and projects.”
The Dutch Energy from Water Association (EWA) unites companies and research organisations working on the development of energy-from-water technologies, including wave, tidal, OTEC and hydropower. EWA promotes collaboration, represents the interests of the Dutch sector, and drives the practical application of sustainable marine energy in the Netherlands and beyond.
Ocean Energy Europe (OEE) is the world’s largest network of offshore energy professionals, bringing together hundreds of participants each year, from policymakers and investors to companies and researchers.
Looking ahead
With ICOE-OEE 2026 taking place in The Hague, the Netherlands will have a unique opportunity to showcase its maritime innovation power to a global audience. The conference will foster new collaborations, knowledge exchange, and investment, while strengthening the role of the North Sea as a source of sustainable innovation and energy.
For Campus@Sea and its partners, this event underlines the importance of testing facilities, collaboration, and entrepreneurship as key drivers of a resilient blue economy.
📅 ICOE-OEE 2026
📍 The Hague, the Netherlands
🗓️ 5–7 October 2026
Campus@Sea
Hellingweg 9c
2583 DZ DEN HAAG
info@campusatsea.nl