UK and Canada strengthen marine energy ties

April 19, 2023, by Amir Garanovic

Marine Renewables Canada and the UK Marine Energy Council have entered into an agreement to share knowledge and support development of the marine renewable energy industry.

Illustration/Tidal energy turbine by Nova Innovation, which is developing projects both in UK and Canada (Courtesy of Nova Innovation)

The two organizations are some of the most important for marine renewable energy in their respective nations and share many aims and objectives.

The agreement demonstrates the commitment to collectively work together to build a productive worldwide marine renewable energy industry.

This marks an important step towards positive collaboration between the two regions, both of which have been working to address barriers to sector development and champion growth of marine renewable energy.

Richard Arnold, policy director of the UK Marine Energy Council, said: “Ocean energy is poised to play a key role in a secure, cost-effective, and fair transition to net zero. Our organizations and members are united in working to turn this potential into a reality.

“We believe that progress in harnessing the renewable potential of our seas anywhere, benefits decarbonization efforts everywhere. I look forward to working with Marine Renewables Canada to remove barriers and identify solutions to accelerating the deployment of marine energy technology.”

Elisa Obermann, executive director of Marine Renewables Canada, added: “While progress is being made in the marine renewable energy sector, there are still challenges to growing the sector in Canada and internationally.

“By working more closely with the UK Marine Energy Council we hope to collaborate on key challenges, build partnerships amongst our memberships, and share information and best practices that can help accelerate sector development.”

The UK, as an island nation, has tremendous tidal and wave energy resource. Its practical tidal resource, or tidal power that could be economically captured, is the equivalent of 11% of its current electricity demand.

Tidal stream energy has already provided over 45GWh of clean, predictable electricity. Research has found that the UK has over 20GW of wave energy potential which could provide over 20% of its current electricity demand.

With some of the best tidal, wave, river current and offshore wind energy resources in the world, Canada has been building a marine renewable energy industry for the last decade.

As a result of supportive policies and ongoing R&D, tidal energy projects are progressing in the Bay of Fundy and reaching new milestones. Canada is also realizing the potential of using marine renewable energy to displace diesel in remote communities across the country.

Although divided by the Atlantic Ocean, Canada and the UK share many common qualities and this new collaborative approach will aim to build on the work that has already been accomplished by each.