SKF GMBH

Their core work

SKF is the German subsidiary of the SKF Group, a global leader in bearings, seals, and lubrication systems for rotating machinery. Within H2020, they contribute specialized mechanical engineering expertise — particularly bearing technology and power take-off components — to tidal and marine energy projects. Their role is to ensure that tidal turbines and ocean energy devices achieve the reliability and durability needed for harsh offshore environments. They bring decades of industrial rotating equipment experience to a sector that desperately needs it for commercialization.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

SKF's early H2020 involvement (2016-2019) centered on foundational tidal energy R&D — smaller-budget projects like FloTEC and TIPA focused on proving that tidal turbine components could work reliably. Their more recent projects show a clear shift toward commercialization and scale-up, with EnFAIT targeting full tidal arrays and FORWARD-2030 (their largest project at EUR 1.68M) aiming to deploy gigawatt-scale tidal energy by 2030. The trajectory is unmistakable: from component-level testing to industrial-scale deployment, with growing investment per project.

SKF is scaling up its marine energy commitment, moving from research participation toward major industrial deployment roles — expect them to be a key supplier for the EU's tidal energy scale-up through 2030.

How they like to work

SKF never coordinates — they join as a specialist industrial partner, contributing components and engineering know-how rather than leading research direction. With 36 unique partners across 8 countries, they work in medium-to-large consortia typical of energy demonstration projects. Their consistent presence across five tidal energy projects over six years suggests they are a trusted, returning partner within the European marine energy community rather than a one-off contributor.

SKF has built a focused network of 36 partners across 8 countries, concentrated in the European tidal energy sector. Their geographic spread likely centers on the UK, Ireland, and Atlantic-facing nations where tidal resources are strongest.

What sets them apart

SKF brings something rare to tidal energy consortia: world-class rotating machinery expertise from a company with over a century of industrial bearing experience. While most tidal energy partners are research institutes or energy developers, SKF is the kind of proven industrial manufacturer needed to move turbine components from prototype to mass production. For any consortium targeting tidal energy commercialization, SKF provides the mechanical reliability credibility that investors and regulators demand.

Highlights from their portfolio

• FORWARD-2030
  Largest funding (EUR 1.68M) and most ambitious scope — targeting 2030MW of tidal energy deployment with power-to-x integration, signaling SKF's growing commitment to marine renewables.
• EnFAIT
  Long-running project (2017-2023) focused on enabling full tidal arrays, representing the transition from single-device testing to commercial-scale energy generation.
• TIPA
  Directly targets power take-off acceleration for tidal turbines — the exact mechanical engineering challenge where SKF's bearing and drivetrain expertise is most critical.