UK Government Launches Marine Energy Taskforce to Accelerate Wave and Tidal Innovation

UK Government Launches Marine Energy Taskforce to Accelerate Wave and Tidal Innovation

The UK government has officially launched the Marine Energy Taskforce (MET), a strategic initiative aimed at unlocking the country’s vast wave and tidal energy potential. Backed by The Crown Estate and Crown Estate Scotland, the Taskforce will develop a roadmap to support the growth of marine renewables and strengthen the UK’s position as a global leader in clean energy.

A Collaborative Effort to Advance Marine Energy

Led by UK Energy Minister Michael Shanks MP, the Taskforce brings together key stakeholders from government, industry, and academia to address the challenges facing marine energy deployment. The initiative will focus on four critical areas:

• Site development – Identifying optimal locations for wave and tidal energy projects.
• Financing – Exploring investment mechanisms to support commercial-scale deployment.
• Innovation – Driving technological advancements to improve efficiency and reliability.
• Supply chain growth – Strengthening UK-based manufacturing and expertise in marine renewables.

The Marine Energy Council, the industry body representing the UK’s tidal stream and wave energy sectors, will chair the Taskforce and act as its secretariat. The initiative will run for 12 months, with findings published to inform future policy and investment decisions.

Unlocking the UK’s Marine Energy Potential

The UK has over 25GW of accessible wave energy capacity and 11GW of tidal stream energy, making it one of the most promising regions for marine renewables. A recent University of Edinburgh report suggests that scaling up the sector could add £50 billion to the UK economy and create over 90,000 jobs.

Energy Minister Michael Shanks MP emphasized the importance of harnessing the UK’s coastal resources:

"With a coastline stretching among the longest in Europe, it's time we deliver on our marine energy potential and put our waves and tides to work. We will work closely with industry to break down barriers, unlock investment, and drive growth in coastal communities while delivering clean, homegrown power."

On attending the Taskforce’s inaugural meeting yesterday,  Wave Energy Scotland's Jonathan Hodges said: 

“Innovation is a key tool in the path to commercial marine energy, with homegrown technology being central to the domestic and export opportunities ahead. Wave Energy Scotland has demonstrated a world-leading approach to innovation delivery and this Taskforce represents a fantastic opportunity to coordinate this support more widely across the UK’s innovation mechanisms. This will create a targeted and focused response to the remaining technology challenges and realise the economic benefits promised by wave and tidal.”

Industry Support and Next Steps

The Taskforce has received strong backing from The Crown Estate and Crown Estate Scotland, which will provide funding and expertise to support its objectives.

Over the next year, the Taskforce will engage with industry leaders, policymakers, and researchers to develop actionable recommendations for scaling up marine energy projects. The findings will be presented to the UK government to shape future funding mechanisms, regulatory frameworks, and investment strategies.

With continued collaboration and innovation, the UK is poised to become a global leader in wave and tidal energy, driving economic growth and supporting the transition to net zero.