Ocean energy in Europe

Assessing support instruments and cost-reduction needs

Authors

  • D. Magagna
  • R. Monfardini
  • A. Uihlein

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36688/imej.1.1-7

Keywords:

Tidal energy, Levelized cost of energy, Learning investment, Cost reductions, SET-Plan

Abstract

The SET-Plan declaration of intent for ocean energy has set ambitious targets for wave and tidal energy technologies. Tidal technologies are expected to reach a levelised cost of energy (LCOE) of 15 cEUR/kWh by 2025. To meet this target, technology costs need to be reduced by about 75 % from 2016 values. Cost-reduction of tidal technologies is expected to go hand in hand with technology deployment and further technology validation gained by the operation of first-of-a-kind tidal farms. In this paper we assess the learning investment needed to support the cost-reduction of tidal energy to meet the 2025 SET-Plan targets. The learning investment necessary to bring tidal energy to cost-competitiveness would be of about EUR 1.45 billion, requiring about 3.2 GW of installed capacity to achieve the LCOE target of 15 cEUR/kWh. Supporting the step growth for the sector requires the design of accompanying policies aimed at the industrialisation of the sector to support the creation of assembly and manufacturing facilities.

Front cover of IMEJ Vol 1. No. 1

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Published

2018-08-30

How to Cite

Magagna, D., Monfardini, R., & Uihlein, A. (2018). Ocean energy in Europe: Assessing support instruments and cost-reduction needs. International Marine Energy Journal, 1(1 (Aug), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.36688/imej.1.1-7

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 1 (Aug) (2018): International Marine Energy Journal

Section

Directly submitted articles

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