Wave & Tidal
The UK is a world leader in complete wave and tidal power generation systems.
The world’s first commercial-scale tidal energy system, SeaGen, was installed in Strangford Lough, Northern Ireland, in July 2008. The SeaGen system was developed by Marine Current Turbines, with financial assistance from the UK government. The UK has also developed the world’s first commercial wave farm which began operation off the coast of Portugal in September 2008, using technology developed by Babcock and Brown.
The UK’s leading position is due in part to the experience of developing oil and gas projects in the inhospitable North Sea. The skills thus developed are now being put to good use in marine renewables. For example, First Subsea has, for years, been making subsea connection and mooring systems for deepwater oil and gas platforms. The company is now developing its range to include moorings for offshore wind, wave and tidal systems, all of which present new technical challenges due to their locations in strong waves and currents.
Marine Action Plan
The UK Government announced in the UK Renewable Energy Strategy its commitment to developing a Marine Action Plan. The objection of this is to set out a vision for the sector to 2030. The Action Plan will be wide ranging and look at the full range of challenges, barriers and opportunities facing the wave and tidal sector. We are proposing to divide the work into a number of separate work streams. Further details of the progress of the Marine Action Plan can be found by clicking here.
Featured Case Study
Hydroelectricity: case studies
UK Hydroelectric Schemes from the Department for Energy and Climate Change website.
Partner Organisations
Downloads
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Energy From Waste
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The Low Carbon Future
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UK Photovoltaics Sector
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