Abstract
Ocean energy is a promising source of clean renewable energy, with clear development targets set by the European Commission. However, the ocean energy sector faces non-technological challenges and opportunities that are frequently overlooked in deployment plans. The present study aimed to provide a critical evaluation of the ocean energy sector’s legal, institutional, and political frameworks with an identification and analysis of both barriers and enabling features for the deployment of ocean energy. In the first stage, a literature review on the current political and regulatory frameworks of a set of European countries was carried out, setting the basis for the main challenges and enabling factors faced by the sector. Secondly, a critical analysis of the main non-technological barriers and enablers was performed, which was supported by questionnaires sent to regulators, technology developers, and test-site managers. This questionnaire allowed us to collect and integrate the views, perceptions, and personal experiences of the main stakeholders of the ocean energy sector in the analysis. The most relevant insights were collected to guide future policy instruments, supports, and consenting measures in a more informed and effective manner and to help accelerate the development of the sector.
Highlights
In the late 1990s, the International Energy Agency (IEA) projected that, without new policy initiatives, fossil fuel would account for more than 90% of total primary energy demand in 2020 [1]
Once the background from survey respondents was collected, respondents were asked an introduction question to set the scene. They were shown a list of factors that had been previously identified in the literature review in Section 3 (e.g., European Union (EU) policies, administrative procedures) as potential sources of challenge and opportunity to the ocean energy sector
This study aimed to investigate and identify the main legal and political barriers and enablers to deployment of ocean energy
Summary
In the late 1990s, the International Energy Agency (IEA) projected that, without new policy initiatives, fossil fuel would account for more than 90% of total primary energy demand in 2020 [1]. 14.6% in 2017 [3], which is the result of long-term strategic plans and ambitious policy mandates aiming to decarbonize all energy sectors. In this policy initiative, the EU recognized ocean energy as a priority, identifying it as an economy driver, to significantly contribute to the objectives of the European 2020 Strategy, to the reduction of long-term greenhouse gas emissions, as well as to the creation of a blue economy and job opportunities [4]. The new roadmap for ocean renewable energy (ORE) adopted in 2020 reinforces this European commitment for the sector
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