The UK is a currently seen as a world-leader in developing wave and tidal stream technologies and the global focal point for their development due to the abundance of resource around our shores.
With our excellent wave and tidal resources, and our expertise in oil and gas exploration, the UK is in a unique position to benefit from this type of renewable energy – and to develop related wave and tidal services. The industry is still in its early stages however, and further research is needed to determine how best to exploit these assets.
Research to date
Studies have estimated the UK’s total theoretical tidal range resource at between 25 and 30 Gigawatts – enough to supply around 12% of current UK electricity demand. The majority of this is in the Severn estuary (8-12GW), with the estuaries and bays of the North West representing a similar amount, and the east coast a further 5-6GW.
The 2-year cross Government Severn tidal power feasibility study could not see a strategic case for public investment in a Severn tidal scheme in the immediate term, though private sector groups are continuing to investigate the potential. There are a number of other potential projects currently being assessed by developers at sites around the UK, such as the Mersey, the Solway Firth and the North Wales coast.
The UK has one of the best tidal range resources in the world – that is, the extraction of energy from the difference in height between high and low tides through the use of impoundment structures such as barrages or lagoons. No tidal range schemes have been constructed in the UK to date, but small barrages using proven technologies (Bulb and straflo turbines) have been operating at La Rance in Brittany and in Canada for a number of years, and a new barrage has recently been constructed at Sihwa in South Korea.
To drive forward the wave and tidal agenda, the Government has established a new UK Marine Energy Programme, that is focusing on enhancing the UK marine energy sector’s ability to develop and deploy wave and tidal energy devices on a commercial scale.