Rémi Gruet: Ocean Energy Europe

Firstly, Gruet pointed to some basic truths about comparing this new entrant with established energy sources: “We have around eight tidal models at pilot or post-pilot farm stage that are beginning to look good for investment. While they won’t compete with incumbent technologies at the moment, the key argument is that the cost will go down rapidly.”

“As these are 5MW to 8MW machines, just 2GW of tidal energy will need 200 to 300 turbines – that kind of number in production means components will become available off the shelf. Eventually, you’ll be able to go to Siemens with a shopping list, adaptable between tidal and wave energy. The learning potential and the economies of scale are very significant.”

“By comparison, a nuclear plant is just a one-off, there are no ‘economies’ to be gained.”

Tidal’s first steps have already been taken: “Right now there are several sites around the world from the UK and Europe to Canada and Japan looking at tidal arrays of 20 to 50 turbines.” From here Gruet and his colleagues believe that tidal sector could grow quickly: The European Union has a target of 10GW for 2030, although he admits this “depends on the revenue support on the table”.

Why should those involved in the rise of offshore wind sit up and take notice of this nascent industry? Despite being two very separate beasts, offshore wind has helped lay the groundwork for tidal energy’s adoption and there will be crossover opportunities “as many of the supply chains are very similar… there are cables, substations… and like wind farms, ocean energy arrays will need a number of pieces to be assembled on and off-site”, explained Gruet.

While there are some differences “as we don’t need tall cranes – at least not yet – we will still want capable, heavy lift and general purpose vessels”. A tidal site might even have some deployment and operational advantages over wind as the turbines will be closer together, so an array of 25 may fit into a single square kilometre.

As noted, the early support is critical, but it looks like repaying those countries that invest handsomely: “It’s the next industry opportunity for Europe, a 100GW could create 400,000 jobs, and that is a conservative estimate – and the revenue doesn’t just sit locally, it filters throughout the broader economy.” However, he added that if we don’t give this fledging industry the backing to cross the infamous “valley of death”, the point at which prototype funding runs out before commercialism kicks in, then “others will step in to take the lead”, notably the US and Asia.

He concluded: “You don’t see new industries every day, they don’t just pop up, so we need to make the most of it.”