Report identifies technologies that could unlock tidal stream energy

Published by the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult, the Tidal Stream Technology Roadmap report identifies subsea hubs, anchors for floating devices, controllers to optimise lifetime turbine performance, cable monitoring and tidal array optimisation as some of the technologies that could make tidal stream energy cheaper than nuclear energy.

In a statement, Simon Cheeseman, wave and tidal energy sector lead at ORE Catapult, said: “With rising costs and the need to adapt to a varied future renewable energy mix, we have identified key drivers in how tidal energy can reduce UK energy system costs by up to £600m a year and play a full part in the net zero revolution.”

The technology innovations highlighted in the 2024 report support 1GW of tidal stream being installed in the UK by 2035, in line with UK Marine Energy Council (MEC) recommendations.

Sue Barr, Chair of the UK MEC, said: “The UK tidal energy sector has shown a strong pipeline of projects, through the Contracts for Difference scheme rounds four and five. With over 90MW of potential tidal energy projects due to deliver projects across Scotland and Wales in coming years, there is a clear signal that tidal technology is moving towards a commercially viable future.