2.b Wave and tidal energy

Fossil fuel global consumption

75-80%

Reasons for alternative energy

Rising population, higher living standards, and fossil fuel impacts

Flow resources

Resources naturally replenished by the sun and moon's gravity

Current UK jobs in wave and tidal

2,400 jobs

Projected UK jobs in wave and tidal

Over 23,000 in the next decade

Projected UK economic boost from wave and tidal

£6.1 billion in the next decade

Potential UK electricity provision from wave and tidal

Up to 20%

Key UK locations for wave and tidal

Scotland and the South West of England

Effect of increasing wave and tidal capacity

Costs reduce faster

Arguments against wave and tidal energy

Lack of funding elsewhere, disruptive pollution, and unreliability

UK global energy standing

Global leader in tidal energy

Tidal energy predictability

2 high tides and 2 low tides per 24 hours

Main drawback of tidal energy

Very expensive

Tidal energy limitations

Dependent on local geography and economic travel limits

Tidal barrage

A dam-like structure built across a coast or estuary

Wave energy potential compared to tidal

Enormous and much greater