Marine energy projects totalling almost 20MW were deployed in Europe by the end of 2016, with a further 30MW under construction, according to a new Ocean Energy Europe (OEE) report.
The report – ‘Ocean Energy Project Spotlight: Investing in Tidal & Wave Energy’ said there was an “unprecedented number” of marine energy deployments in Europe last year.
Some 21 tidal turbines with capacity over 100kW totalling 13MW were deployed by the end of last year, with a further 12MW being built, it said.
Thirteen wave devices over 100kW totalling 5MW were also in operation by the start of 2017, with 17MW under construction, the report added.
OEE said that “frontrunner technologies” are now gearing up to deploy the first pre-commercial farms over the next two to three years.
OEE policy director Jacopo Moccia said: “Europe currently leads the world in ocean energy technology.
“With the right support over the coming decade, this will mean creating a new manufacturing sector capable of meeting 10% of Europe’s electricity demand.”
Image: sxc
Marine approaches 20MW in EU
A further 30MW are under construction says Ocean Energy Europe report
By EBS