Ocean energy could supply 15% of Europe electricity by 2050

Ocean energy could supply up to 15 per cent of Europe’s electricity demand – via as much as 100GW of installed capacity – by 2050, a new report has predicted.

The draft report is based on the European Ocean Energy Roadmap (EOER) 2010-2050, due in September this year, which estimates that by 2050, ocean energy could meet up to 15 per cent of EU power demand, supplying electricity to some 115 million homes.

The report – which was released at the end of June by the European Commission for the Environment, Climate Change and Energy Committee of Regions – also recognises the potential of ocean energy to supply EU islands, contributing to increased energy autonomy for “peripheral maritime regions”.

The roadmap will outline key actions for Europe to take advantage of ocean energy, which the report has described as a “reliable and predictable” renewable energy source, with the potential to contribute to energy security goals and help reduce intermittency.

The sector is also expected to provide specific skills enhancement in engineering, testing, manufacturing, transportation, installation, operation and maintenance of ocean energy facilities and port facilities, the report said.

The draft report’s findings were welcomed by the EU ocean energy association, a sentiment that was echoed in Australian by Carnegie Wave Energy, the developers of the world’s first grid-connected wave energy array.

“Carnegie welcomes this report from the Committee of the Regions, and recognises the strong leadership Europe’s regions have played in driving the sector forward,” said the ASX-listed company’s European Business Development Director and Ocean Energy Europe Board Member, Kieran O’Brien. “We look forward to that support continuing.”