Blue Economy boom

Offshore wind power, tidal and wave energy are seeing huge growth

POWER generated by offshore renewable energy in the UK has soared over the last decade. In particular, offshore wind power generation increased by 23 times between 2009 to 2020 - rising from 1,754 gigawatt hours produced in 2009 to 40,662 in 2020.

In that time, the cost per unit of offshore wind has continued to fall, making the market more competitive, and larger wind farms and turbines may further reduce production costs in future.

Meanwhile, marine renewable energy from tidal energy and wave power increased from one gigawatt hour to 11 over the same period although that was a dip from 14 gigawatt hours in 2019.

The UK has become a world leader in offshore marine renewable energy production and technologies. As of 2019, the UK was responsible for producing around 50% of Europe’s tidal energy and 35% of its wave energy.

A BEIS spokesperson said: “As an island nation, our coastline and the power of the seas around us offers huge potential for clean renewable energy, and to play a long-term role in helping to end our contribution to climate change by 2050.

“We are committed to advancing innovation in marine technologies across the country, including offshore wind, floating offshore wind, tidal energy, and wave energy.

“The UK already has an impressive rate of growth in the marine energy space, and we plan to go further and faster in harnessing the power of our great natural assets responsibly and effectively.

“Our Ten Point Plan outlined plans to mobilise £12 billion of Government funding into low carbon technologies and infrastructure. This package of support will include creating over 60,000 new jobs focused on greening the energy of industrial centres and 60,000 in offshore wind.”

The UK’s long coastline, windy climate and shallow seas mean that it is particularly well suited to these offshore technologies, and installation is far easier and more cost effective than elsewhere.

Green Councillor in Bristol, Carla

Denyer, who previously worked in offshore wind energy, said she wasn’t surprised by the figures: “Offshore wind farms are playing a huge role in increasing our renewable energy supplies in the UK and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

"This industry is also really important in terms of creating Green jobs and offshore wind development involves lots of the same skills as the offshore oil and gas industry.

“When I worked in the industry, it was crying out for a more stable, long-term policy from the government – the lack of which was discouraging investment and innovation.

“Since then, the UK’s ‘Contract for Difference’ system has been introduced and this has helped lower costs and provide more stability for the industry.

“But as we get more renewable energy on the grid, energy storage, grid balancing, and demand management are becoming increasingly important. The government must address these urgently to accelerate the UK’s progress to zero carbon energy.”