The Crown Estate has said there is potential for tens of gigawatts of wave, tidal stream and tidal range projects at sites around England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Total theoretical UK resources are estimated to be follows:
Wave: 69 TWh/year (27 GW);
Tidal stream: 95 TWh/year (32 GW);
Tidal range (barrage schemes): 96 TWh/year (45 GW); and
Tidal range (lagoon schemes): 25 TWh/year (14 GW).
It finds that England and Wales share the largest single area of tidal range resources in the Bristol Channel and Severn Estuary.
While Scotland’s waters offer the majority of the UK’s wave resources, there is also significant wave resource off southwest England and Wales, it says.
There are similar amounts of tidal stream resources in English, Scottish and Welsh waters and also tidal stream resources off Northern Ireland.
Rob Hastings, director of the energy and infrastructure portfolio, said: “This report reflects our strategic interest in supporting development of wave and tidal projects around the UK.
“We hope it is a useful reference for both companies advancing development plans and government bodies implementing industry support measures.
“While the science of wave and tidal resource assessment is still emerging, and future work will clarify the resources that are practically available, it is clear that wave and tidal energy could contribute substantially to the UK’s electricity needs.
“Improving understanding about the extent and locations of resources will help to accelerate development in a sustainable way.”
The study was undertaken by The Crown Estate in association with a number of organisations with responsibilities for marine planning, including the Marine Management Organisation, Northern Ireland Executive, Scottish Government and Welsh Government, as well as Regen SW.
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