Wave generation in the UK

Wave and tidal generation are still new technologies in the UK, but with the vast potential offered by our island and its location. In fact, leading renewables advisor the Carbon Trust has calculated that wave and tidal stream technologies could add around 10-20GW of electricity capacity to the UK by 2050.

The west coasts of Britain and Ireland are particularly prime spots for exploiting the power of the sea, with research from the University of Liverpool suggesting that the Irish Sea could potentially meet up to 5% of the UK’s electricity requirements.

Tidal energy is extremely reliable and predictable, and waves contain massive amounts of energy. Good news is that investment in marine power is increasing. The Carbon Trust is to invest £1 million over the next year to help reduce the cost of generating marine power by 20 per cent. This should make it a more viable method of generating renewable power, and help take more of the many prototype technologies from the drawing board to reality.

Good Energy is proud to buy power from a pioneering wave generator in the UK through the NFPA auction.