What is marine energy?
The seas around the wild coast of Wales are one of our greatest assets, and an untapped source of limitless, sustainable power.
Marine renewable technologies exploit the intensity of our waves, tides and offshore wind to turn turbines and produce energy.
How we convert this energy varies depending on the type of power source and the conditions. Take a look at some of the examples below to see how devices operate.
Did you know?
Tidal Range
The difference in height between low tide and high tide is called Tidal Range. A built lagoon or barrage fills up on the rising tide and stores the water. As the tide falls, water rushes past generator turbines.
Tidal Stream
The movement of the tides is magnified around headlands and through narrow channels, such as between an island and the mainland. The kinetic energy from these fast-flowing bodies of water rushing back and forward with the tide is used to turn turbine blades. These can be mounted on solid structures fixed to the sea bed or floating in an anchored position.
Wave
Waves are caused by wind blowing across the surface of the sea. The best wave resources occur in areas where strong winds have travelled over long distances, such as Pembrokeshire, which has the highest concentration of wave resource in Wales. Wave power is still in the early stages of development, and this is why we need early-stage testing sites such as our Marine Energy Test Area (META) to advance the technology.
Floating Offshore Wind
Specialist floating platforms can accommodate taller turbines much further out to sea than conventional windfarms. This allows us to tap into stronger winds in deeper waters.
A new era of energy
Our coastline’s natural resources – wind, waves and tides – have tremendous potential to produce cheap, clean energy and support thousands of new, renewable jobs.