The British Wind Energy Association (BWEA) and npower, the UK's largest electricity supplier, has released a route-map to utilising the full potential of the power of waves and tidal streams in the UK.
The report states that marine renewable energy technologies could theoretically provide up to 2.1% of the UK’s electricity demand by 2020, but also reveals significant hurdles associated with financing, grid access, and consenting procedures.
The report sets out recommendations for the most effective way of overcoming these obstacles.
Kevin McCullough, director of npower renewables, said: “The UK is the world-leading centre of marine renewables technology, and is home to the greatest concentration of wave and tidal stream technology developers. Coupled with some of the best wave and tidal energy resources in the world, and the UK’s strong existing offshore skills gained from the oil, gas and offshore wind industries, this offers real opportunities to benefit both the environment and the UK economy.”
The full report is available from www.bwea.com/pathtopower