Skip to main content

The Role of Marine Energy in the UK’s Net-Zero Transition

The United Kingdom is already a global leader in offshore wind power generation, as demonstrated by an installed and consented capacity of over 40 GW. Offshore wind energy is therefore becoming the backbone of the UK’s efforts to provide clean electricity to its homes, industry and other sectors. However, beyond the large numbers of turbines turning in the North Sea, there is one large area of opportunity in terms of renewables that has remained untapped: marine energy.

Marine energy, which consists of tidal and wave resources, provides a source of predictable, renewable power that will be increasingly required by the future energy system as we move towards a zero-carbon electricity grid. As the UK transitions to a zero-carbon energy system, the use of marine energy will complement and support the ongoing development of a zero-carbon energy system, improving local economies in coastal areas, increasing the long-term energy security of the United Kingdom, and enhancing the stability of the electrical grid.


What Is Marine Energy?


Marine energy refers to electricity generated from the natural movement of the ocean. In the UK, this mainly includes tidal stream energy and wave energy.


Tidal energy captures power from fast-moving tidal currents using underwater turbines, operating in a similar way to wind turbines but driven by seawater. Because tides are governed by lunar cycles, output is highly predictable years in advance, a major advantage for system planning.


Wave energy is produced by the motion of the surface waves (up and down) by floating or submerged devices that convert this motion into electrical energy. Since the output from wave energy varies with weather, there is typically less of an overlap in the output peak time of wave energy with its peak time of wind energy, thus providing additional balancing support for the wind energy.


When combined, wave and wind technology are able to produce firm, renewable power, which can provide added stability across the broader mix of energy generation.


Why the UK Is Exceptionally Well Placed?


Few countries have the marine resources the UK does. With over 19,000 km of coastline and some of Europe’s strongest tidal currents, the UK is ideally positioned for marine energy deployment.



Regions include:

  • The Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters contain some of the world's fastest and strongest tidal streams worldwide (i.e., tidal flow). 

  • The Severn Estuary – massive tidal range potential

  • Cornwall and the South West – strong Atlantic wave resource

  • Welsh coastal waters – suitable for tidal stream arrays


Industry and government studies consistently show that the UK’s theoretical tidal resource alone could meet a substantial share of national electricity demand. Wave energy potential along the Atlantic-facing coastline is also significant, particularly during winter months when electricity demand is highest.

Despite this, marine energy deployment has lagged behind offshore wind, not due to lack of resources, but because of technology maturity and financing challenges.


Progress in the UK Marine Energy Sector


In the last several years, the marine energy sector has progressed beyond just showing off what can be done: 

  • The development of tidal array projects (as seen in the multi-megawatt tidal array demonstrations that took place in Scotland & Wales) has shown us that tidal Turbine-Driven Arrays (TDAs) have proven to work reliably over many years, even when subjected to the difficult marine conditions found in both the Hebrides and Yorkshire.

  • The European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC), located in Orkney, Scotland, is still mainly seen as a global leader and as a location to test new products and technologies before they can be commercially available.

  • Through funding provided by the UKRI, Ofgem and the devolved administrations, the marine energy sector has seen many of its projects transition from being pilot projects to being early-scale commercial projects.


The amount of installed marine capacity is small but is in the tens of megawatts per state, and the uptake of marine energy technology in the UK should begin to see the costs reduce over time as its supply chain develops further and its deployment and operational knowledge continue to grow.


Why Marine Energy Matters Now


1) Clean Power With Predictability

Tidal generation has very high accuracy when it comes to forecasting power generation. This predictability will reduce costs for balancing generation and help system operators while decreasing reliance on gas-fired flexible generation.


2) Stability of the Grid in a System Dominated by Renewables

As the UK begins working towards an electricity grid that is primarily powered by renewable energy, the need for diversification will be more pronounced. Marine-based energy generation will complement both wind and solar power generation in such a way as to increase the resiliency of the overall system.


3) Creating Economic Value in Coastal Communities

Marine energy creates high-skill jobs, primarily in marine engineering, fabrication, operation, and maintenance of equipment, particularly in coastal areas where maritime technical skills are prevalent.


4) Collaboration With Offshore Wind

Tidal and wind projects can use the same infrastructure that has been developed for offshore wind. The equipment, vessels, ports, and underwater cabling development of offshore wind power can be used for tidal and wave energy deployment, which will lower the overall deployment cost and deployment time.


Challenges to Overcome 


Even with this promise, there are numerous challenges to overcome in the marine energy sector:

  • High capital costs compared to mature renewables

  • Complex consenting processes in marine environments

  • Limited revenue certainty for early-stage projects

  • Competition for investment with lower-risk technologies


These barriers are typical for emerging energy technologies, and many mirror the challenges offshore wind faced a decade ago.


Looking Ahead


By the mid-2030s, marine energy could deliver:

  • Hundreds of megawatts of predictable tidal power.

  • Commercial wave energy farms along the Atlantic coast

  • Exportable UK expertise in marine engineering and technology.

  • Greater energy resilience for island and remote communities.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

For the UK to achieve a "just and fair" energy transition by 2030, there must be immediate political alignment.

  The UK will not be able to achieve a "just and fair" energy transition by 2030, according to a new report from Robert Gordon University (RGU), unless there is immediate political alignment to support supply chain investments, jobs in the offshore energy industry, and the economic contribution of the workforce. Image Courtesy: RGU The “Delivering our Energy Future” report dissected north of 6,560 pathways for the UK offshore energy industry between now and 2030, of which, less than 15 or <0.3% meet the "just and fair" progress standards. It is presumed that the UK and Scottish political choices, rather than energy market economics , will identify the size of the supply chain and workforce.  To take note, the United Nations' definition of a "just and fair" change signifies:  "Guaranteeing that nobody is abandoned in the progress to low carbon and ecologically manageable economies and social orders". As per RGU, even these limited situation...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Energy Sector Transition in the UK Gave Birth to the “Energy Skills Passport”

  Leaders in the energy sector have come together to develop a prototype "Energy Skills Passport" that will allow training and experience in the area to be recognized across sectors. Image Courtesy: Popular Science The launch of the 'Skills Passport', a commitment in both the North Sea Transition Agreement and the Offshore Wind Sector Agreement, between industry and the UK government has taken place. Passport aims to show employees and employers how they can recognize skills and competencies in sectors such as oil gas and offshore wind. The ability for workers to move easily across all parts of the energy mix, from jobs in the oil and gas sector to specialist roles in wind and other energy transition sectors, would save the UK energy industry UK energy industry UK energy industry and help spread and accelerate the transition process.  “We are committed to make the transition easier for workers in the energy sector moving into renewable energy,” said Jane Cooper, Chi...
Post a Comment
Read more

Elon Musk’s Tesla Bids to Enter UK Energy Market

Tesla , the electric car giant led by Elon Musk, has taken its first step toward supplying electricity to British homes. The company has formally applied to the energy regulatory body, Ofgem, for an electricity supply licence, a move that could open the door to competing with the UK’s biggest energy providers. The bid comes through Tesla Energy Ventures, the firm’s UK arm based in Manchester. If it is approved, Tesla could sell electricity directly to homes, going up against big names like British Gas, EDF and E.ON Next, as well as newer suppliers such as Octopus Energy. The move reflects Tesla’s growing focus on the energy sector as part of its wider mission to accelerate the transition to sustainable power. Ofgem is taking comments from the public on the application until 22 August. After that, the regulator will review, with a decision expected within the next year. Tesla’s energy ambitions are not new. The company set up its energy division in 2015 to bring battery technology from ...
Post a Comment
Read more