Renewable energy
THE SEA IS A VITAL AND GROWING source of renewable energy. The UK’s offshore wind sector alone has grown in the space of five years from just two experimental turbines to eight operational projects totalling 435 megawatts (MW).
As of summer 2008, the UK boasts the most operational offshore wind installed capacity in the world. A process is currently underway that will rapidly grow up to 33GW of capacity, providing almost a third of UK domestic demand.
The year 2008 will be one of deployment with many wave and tidal technologies entering the water; totalling over 5MW in combined capacity. With adequate support, this could realistically grow to 1300MW by 2020.
The UK possesses 50 per cent of the European tidal energy resource and 35 per cent of the European wave energy resource. Together, they have the potential to contribute 15 - 20 per cent of current UK electricity demand, making a significant contribution to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
