Wave energy around the world.WEDUSEA Prof Lars Johanning,Professor of Ocean Technology, University of Plymouth 14 03 2025 As the global demand for renewable energy continues to rise, wave energy has emerged as a promising and largely untapped resource. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimates that the world could generate 29,500 TWh of wave energy annually.As the global demand for renewable energy continues to rise, wave energy has emerged as a promising and largely untapped resource. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimates that the world could generate 29,500 TWh of wave energy annually. As the global demand for renewable energy continues to rise, wave energy has emerged as a promising and largely untapped resource. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimates that the world could generate 29,500 TWh of wave energy annually. Harnessing this energy, however, presents unique technical and economic challenges. Over the past few decades, countries around the world have been investing in research, development, and deployment of innovative wave energy technologies. Just two percent of the world’s coastal waters have wave power densities that are great enough for extracting wave energy, with the best sites in temperate zones. Hot spots for development include the western seaboard of Europe, the northern coast of the UK and the Pacific coastlines of USA and South America.Here is a snapshot of some of the key countries that are pioneering the development of wave energy......
Australia.......Australia has an extensive coastline with significant wave energy potential, especially on the southern coastline. This is because strong Southern Ocean winds generate consistently large waves which travel northwards to Australia’s southern coastline. The large consistent swell provides ideal conditions for wave energy production. There are more than 200 wave energy devices in various stages of testing and demonstration, according to CSIRO. This includes The Perth Wave Energy Project, the world’s first commercial-scale wave energy array connected to the grid that has the ability to produce desalinated water. There is strong public sector support for wave energy development. For example, led by CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere, a publicly accessible digital Wave Atlas has been developed to support wave energy development. The Australian Marine Energy Atlas provides a 4D interactive wave map of the greater Australian coastal area relative to available infrastructure and spatial constraints. It is estimated that wave energy could contribute up to 11 per cent of Australia’s energy needs by 2050 – enough to power a city the size of Melbourne.
New Zealand......There is considerable potential for wave power generation in New Zealand, especially on the south island where the waves deliver over 60 Kw/m of coastline. New Zealand’s 15,134 kilometre coastline, coupled with a high 80% coastal population and an average 40 kilowatts per meter, wave energy density, unlocks a theoretical potential of 5,303 Terawatt hours per year. This is over 100 times its current electricity consumption. With vast potential and ongoing research, New Zealand stands poised to become a leader in sustainable wave energy generation.
South Korea......South Korea has also been investing in wave energy as part of its broader renewable energy goals. The country has established multiple test sites and pilot projects along its coastline, particularly in regions with strong wave activity like Jeju Island. The Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology has been at the forefront of research and development in this field, working on advanced wave energy converters and hybrid offshore energy systems. The South Korean government has also been providing support through funding and policy incentives, aiming to integrate wave energy into the country’s long-term energy mix.
China......China’s vast 14,500 km coastline, with 43% residing near the sea, boasts a 6 kW/m wave energy density. This translates to a theoretical potential of 762 TWh/year, a significant 1/10th of the nation’s electricity needs.China is actively investing in wave energy research and development, positioning itself as a future leader in this sustainable power source.......read on- there's many more countries https://wedusea.eu/