Flagship Tour Southern Delta

People from across the world came together for the Flagship Tour Southern Delta, a side event of ICOE OEE 2026. The tour took us through a landscape where centuries of living with water meet the ambition to harness its power for a sustainable energy future.

Along the way, we visited iconic water infrastructure and pioneering marine energy projects, met the people behind the technologies, and exchanged knowledge and experiences across borders. With the wind, waves, passing showers, rainbows and dramatic skies that make the Dutch Delta so distinctive, the day brought together engineering, innovation and human connection.

At the Topshuis, we first learned about the history of the Dutch Delta Works and the remarkable engineering behind the country’s flood protection system. The area is also linked to the pioneering deployment of Tocardo tidal turbines. Then came a unique opportunity to descend into one of the 62 massive steel gates of the Eastern Scheldt Storm Surge Barrier. Up close, the sheer scale of this structure brought the story of Dutch water engineering to life, showcasing the ingenuity and ambition that have shaped the Netherlands’ relationship with water.

At Innovatiepunt De Kaap, the focus shifted from water infrastructure to technological development in marine energy. Over lunch, participants exchanged ideas.

Nathalie van der Horst of the ORE network Zeeland / SCALDA kicked off the session, setting the scene for discussions on innovation and emerging technologies. Andrew Borg of FLASC introduced digital twins: virtual representations of physical systems that help developers simulate operating conditions, analyse system behaviour and assess performance before making real-world changes. Bart Vandehoek and Jeroen Verschelling of WCM added their perspectives on turning technological advances into practical solutions, emphasising the value of connecting industry, education and technology developers.

Our visit to Water2Energy in Vlissingen began with a little Dutch waterway experience: we had to wait for the lock to reopen after a boat passed through. Once there, Reinier Rijke welcomed us and introduced the company’s vertical-axis turbine, designed to generate electricity from moving water. His explanation offered a closer look at this innovative approach to tidal energy and the engineering behind harnessing the power of water currents.

At the second half of the afternoon we were welcomed by Frank and Max van Bodegraven to the AE Wave HexaPod test facility in Dordrecht, we explored how wave energy technology is tested and developed. The visit offered a glimpse into the engineering and experimentation needed to turn the power of waves into renewable electricity.

Watch the compilation video we made to get an impression of the tour:

We would like to extend our thanks to all our hosts and partners for welcoming us, sharing their knowledge and giving us a closer look at their work. And to all participants, thank you for your curiosity, engaging conversations and enthusiasm — and for braving the cold, wind and typically Dutch weather to join us! We look forward to staying connected and continuing to exchange ideas and explore opportunities to advance offshore renewable energy together. Thank you for being part of the journey towards a more sustainable energy future.