Marine renewable energy perspectives in the Mediterranean region_ planning priorities in a climate neutrality era

Abstract

In conditions of ongoing climate change, multifaceted socio-economic and health crises and constantly increasing energy needs, the transition to clean energy forms is a crucial priority in the development policies of countries worldwide. The debate, which has been held at scientific and political levels since the 1970s, has as key areas of concern the search for renewable energy sources and the development of new allocation methods and technologies for their optimal use aiming at spatial and social cohesion and justice. With a focus on marine renewable energy sources, and taking Greece as reference area, it is explored whether, and under what conditions, marine energy could support blue economy and climate neutrality. This article seeks to critically discuss contemporary international/European experience with a view to assessing the basic factors that have contributed to the use of blue energy, and identifying the special conditions, constraints and priorities in the management of marine energy potential in coastal countries with geographical and spatial peculiarities and high concentration of protected areas (natural - cultural-historical), as is the case of Mediterranean countries. In this line, a methodology is proposed based on a multifactorial perspective where the geopolitical significance, the local identity and the carrying capacity of the sites gain additional value weight. The aim is to highlight crucial issues that need to be addressed in the energy transition of coastal countries, and embedded as principles/guidelines in the broader framework of their national energy policies in the context of climate neutrality.