In December, Cleantech for UK organised a visit for Wera Hobhouse MP to DRIFT Energy in Bath, providing an opportunity to explore one of the UK’s most distinctive clean-energy innovations at an early stage of development.
During the visit, discussions focused on how DRIFT Energy’s technology works in practice, the challenges of moving from prototype to commercial deployment, and the policy and regulatory considerations associated with deploying energy-generating vessels at scale. Particular attention was given to maritime regulation, grid and port integration, and the importance of creating a policy environment that enables first-of-a-kind infrastructure to be tested and financed in the UK.
DRIFT Energy is developing a new class of maritime infrastructure: high-performance sailing vessels that harvest energy from global wind systems and generate more energy than they consume. By producing clean energy at sea and delivering it directly to ports, the technology offers a decentralised and highly scalable approach to renewable power generation, coined as net-positive shipping.
The potential economic impact for the UK is significant. If scaled domestically, the technology could support high-value manufacturing, naval architecture, and advanced engineering jobs, while strengthening the UK’s maritime and clean-energy supply chains. It also positions the UK to export both technology and expertise globally, reinforcing leadership in offshore renewables and innovative energy systems.
The visit underscored the value of early engagement between policymakers and emerging cleantech companies. By ensuring that novel technologies like DRIFT Energy’s are understood by decision-makers at an early stage, the UK can better align policy, regulation, and investment to capture economic value at home while accelerating the transition to a clean energy system.
