In a recent study, Finland’s LUT University examined potential scenarios for the UK and Ireland to achieve a 100% renewable energy system by 2050. The most efficient scenario, balancing cost and security, recommends the UK harness 27GW of wave energy capacity to meet the growing electricity consumption expected to triple by 2050.
The report coincides with a groundbreaking announcement by CorPower Ocean, marking the completion of the initial ocean commissioning cycle for its commercial-scale C4 machine off the coast of northern Portugal. Successfully addressing historical challenges in storm survivability and efficient power generation in normal sea conditions, this achievement signifies a pivotal moment for wave energy technology.
Richard Arnold, Marine Energy Council Policy Director, emphasized the significance of CorPower Ocean’s breakthrough and stressed the importance of wave energy in the UK’s transition to a secure and cost-effective net-zero energy system. Arnold called on the UK government to provide a clear market route and support the wave energy sector, emphasizing the nation’s potential to lead in harnessing wave energy.
The Marine Energy Council recently provided evidence to the UK Government’s Energy Security and Net Zero Select Committee, urging consistent market access and ambitious targets, aiming for at least 300MW deployed by 2035.
Anders Jansson, Head of Business Development at CorPower Ocean, noted the substantial progress made in proving wave energy technology at a commercial scale, signaling its readiness for widespread adoption.
LUT University’s research paper highlighted the necessity of a diverse range of renewables, including wind, solar, wave, tidal, geothermal, biomass, and hydropower, coupled with storage, sector coupling, and flexibility, to achieve 100% renewable energy. The study negated a fossil-nuclear approach, emphasizing the economic attractiveness of wave power for the entire energy system.
Christian Breyer, Professor for Solar Economy at LUT University, emphasized the need for a suitable framework to enable the economic potential of wave power. A previous University of Edinburgh report in February had already indicated that deploying 6GW each of tidal stream and wave energy could reduce energy system costs by over £1bn annually, with further cost reductions achievable by co-locating wave and wind technologies.
Andrew Bowie MP, Minister for Nuclear and Renewables, acknowledged the UK’s global leadership in climate change and emphasized the importance of tapping into naturally occurring renewable energy sources, citing the promising technologies of tidal and wave energy available within the country’s reach.