ENERGY : EU SETS SIGHTS ON OCEAN ENERGY.

The wave and tidal energy industry is still in its infancy in Europe, but it has huge potential for employment growth. It is with this in mind that the European Commission launched, on 20 January, an action plan to support development of 'blue energy' by 2020 and beyond. The publication of the plan fits in with the programme of the maritime policy-focused Greek Presidency of the EU

"Seas and oceans have the potential to generate huge economic growth and much-needed jobs," said the Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Maria Damanaki, on 20 January. Her energy colleague, Gunther Oettinger, added: "Developing a wide portfolio of renewable energy sources, including ocean energy, also facilitates their integration in the European energy system". Ocean energy is not as variable as wind or solar power, meaning that it could help balance out the output of these other renewable energy sources. The amount of ocean energy available globally "exceeds our present and projected future energy needs," the Commission points out in its action plan. The UK's Carbon Trust has estimated it could grow into a half-a-trillion euro market by 2050. Ocean energy means first and foremost wave and tidal power, followed by the less developed thermal and salinity gradient power (derived by exploiting differences in seawater temperature and saltiness, respectively). This clean-tech sector could help Europe meet its energy goals (eg on security of supply) as well as provide a source of fresh competitive advantage and industrial growth. Europe is currently "strong" in the ocean energy market - most of the relevant technology developers are based there - and the Commission proposes a two-step action plan to build on this.

First, it proposes to establish an Ocean Energy Forum that would unite stakeholders and explore synergies with other marine industries, especially offshore wind, when it comes to supply chains, grid connections, operations and maintenance, logistics and spatial planning. Trade association Ocean Energy Europe welcomed the initiative, which "provides a platform for coordinating support and risk-sharing, which will ultimately [ ] get devices in the water," in the words of CEO Sian George.

Within the forum, three separate working groups would focus on: technology and infrastructure, licensing and finance, and environmental impact assessment. The first group is all about improving the affordability, reliability and operability of wave and tidal technology. Priority areas for research include better mooring systems. This group would also assess offshore infrastructure needs from ships to grids.

Group two would seek to speed up...

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