Blue Energy — renewable ocean energy

SUMMARY OF:

Communication (COM (2014) 8 final) — Blue Energy — Action needed to deliver on the potential of ocean energy in European seas and oceans by 2020 and beyond

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THIS COMMUNICATION?

• It outlines the European Union (EU) action plan to harness the potential of seas and oceans as sources of clean energy.
• It sets out a course of action to unlock the economic and environmental potential of renewable ocean energy, and is designed to contribute to the EU’s greenhouse gas reduction goals and to the Europe 2020 Strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth.

KEY POINTS

Several hurdles, which need to be addressed, stand in the way of a flourishing ocean energy sector. These include:

• the high cost of the technology;
• the need to extend the EU’s electricity power grid;
• complex licensing procedures;
• the need for time-consuming research on environmental impacts; and
• difficult access to finance (reduced grant and revenue support).

Existing programmes like the European Energy Research Alliance, ocean energy ERA-NET and Horizon 2020 will be important in facilitating high volumes of low-carbon electricity to Europe from its seas and oceans.

The communication proposes 2 phases of action to harness the potential of ocean energy:

The first phase, from 2014 to 2016, aims to establish:

• a forum that addresses technological, administrative, and environmental issues in developing the renewable ocean energy sector; and
• a strategic roadmap that sets clear targets for industrial development and a time frame for achieving them.

The second phase, from 2017 to 2020, aims to:

• establish initiatives to attract investment in renewable ocean energy; and
• develop sector-specific guidelines for implementing relevant legislation.

The growth of the wind and solar energy sectors in recent years clearly shows that putting in place appropriate policy and funding can provide the incentives industry needs to deliver results.

BACKGROUND

Ocean energy has enormous potential. There are several different technologies to utilise this potential such as energy from waves, tidal streams, offshore wind power and conversion of differences in temperature and salinity into electricity.

For more information, see:

• ‘Ocean energy’ on the European Commission's website.

MAIN DOCUMENT

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: Blue Energy — Action needed to deliver on the potential of ocean energy in European seas and oceans by 2020 and beyond (COM (2014) 8 final, 20.1.2014)

last update 11.10.2016