New study claims UK should target 27GW of wave energy

The study looked at the availability of renewable resources across the British Isles. To reach net zero by 2050, the LUT researchers concluded that the UK requires multiple technologies, including storage, sector coupling and demand side flexibility. Underpinning this system will be a broad mix of renewables, driven largely by wind and solar, but with the most efficient scenario also featuring 27GW of wave energy. The work was published in IET Renewable Generation.  

“Wave power has a high potential globally, in Europe and in particular along the Atlantic coasts in the UK and Ireland,” said research lead Christian Breyer, Professor for Solar Economy at LUT University.

“For the first time we could show the high economic attractiveness of wave power for the entire energy system, which has to be now enabled with the right general framework for wave power.”

Despite the LUT report, the pathway to 27GW of wave energy remains unclear, with many technologies still at the demonstrator phase. Over the medium term, the Marine Energy Council has set a target to deploy 300MW off the coast of the UK by 2035, with a view to then ramping up rollout massively over the following 15 years to 2050.

In a welcome boost for the wave energy sector, Sweden’s CorPower recently announced that its first commercial-scale device had shown ‘breakthrough results’ in an ocean demonstration off the Portuguese coast. The company’s C4 device demonstrated the ability to tune and detune according to varying sea states, limiting response to extreme storm waves of up to 18.5m while amplifying motion and power capture in regular waves.  

“CorPower Ocean’s commercial-scale breakthroughs in Portugal demonstrate that wave energy is ready to realise its crucial role in a secure and cost-effective transition to net zero,” said Richard Arnold, Marine Energy Council policy director.

“LUT University’s compelling report reinforces the importance of wave energy in the UK’s energy transition. The UK has the maritime expertise, offshore engineering experience and supply chains to lead the world in harnessing wave energy. It is critical that the UK government provides a clear route to market and supports the wave energy industry investing in coastal communities and beyond.”