That money comes from a provincial fund that collects taxes on the sale of fossil fuel products.

These are state-of-the-art clean energy projects that will help British Columbia’s transition to a low-carbon economy, particularly in the marine sector.said Minister Osborne at a press conference in Victoria.

Two of the projects will support the maritime economy, the minister said.

Victoria-based Open Ocean Robotics is awarded $1.75 million to develop autonomous, solar-powered surface robotic vehicles.

This robot will be equipped with sensors, cameras and communication equipment to collect data from anywhere in the ocean and transmit that data to researchers in real time.

Surface robotic vehicles will be able to move continuously for months without causing carbon emissions, noise pollution or the risk of fuel spills.

According to Open Ocean Robotics CEO and co-founder Julie Angus, Robotic vehicles are already helping to better understand endangered killer whales from the South and to fight illegal fishing.

The Center for Ocean Applied Sustainable Technologies will receive $2 million to support and enhance various economic sectors along the coast of British Columbia. This aims to encourage the maritime sector, freight transport, shipbuilding, defense and aviation to take advantage of emerging blue economy technologies.

The blue economy is defined by the World Bank as the way to use marine resources sustainably to drive economic growth, improve livelihoods and jobs, while preserving ecosystems.

The seven projects funded by the state will see the light of day in the next three years.