The UK Marine Energy Council (MEC) estimates the UK has 25 GW of wave and 11 GW of tidal stream energy potential. With over 80% of current project content sourced domestically, the MET seeks to sustain this high level of local involvement as the sector grows. A University of Edinburgh study suggests global leadership in marine energy could contribute £50 billion ($67.2 billion) to the UK economy and create over 90,000 jobs.
The Taskforce will focus on site development, financing, innovation, and supply chain expansion through a Core Group and subgroups, drawing expertise from the renewables sector. Funded by The Crown Estate, Crown Estate Scotland, and the Great British Energy partnership, it includes representatives from UK, Welsh, and Scottish governments, as well as industry and research leaders like Sue Bartlett-Reed (MEC Chair), Mike Dobson (The Crown Estate), and Tim Cullen (Great British Energy).
Mike Dobson, Head of New Energies at The Crown Estate, stated: “There is significant potential around the UK’s coastline to capture the predictable nature of our tides and waves and harness them in support of the clean energy transition.”
Sue Bartlett-Reed, MET Chair, added: “Marine energy projects are currently deployed with over 80% UK supply chain content spend. The Marine Energy Council’s ambition is to maintain high levels of UK content as the sector grows, and our waves and tides are harnessed.”
Energy Minister Michael Shanks, who will attend the Core Group’s opening and closing meetings, emphasized the opportunity: “With a coastline that stretches among the longest in Europe, it’s time we finally deliver on our marine energy potential and put our waves and tides to work.”
Tom Mallows of Crown Estate Scotland noted: “Tidal stream and wave energy offer significant long-term potential if we take deliberate and co-ordinated action. The Marine Energy Taskforce roadmap will help clarify what needs to be done to realise this potential.”
The Taskforce’s recommendations, to be published by MEC, will guide future policy and funding to support the UK’s marine energy sector.
