Climate change
Commission to help push forward potential of ocean energy
In a push to facilitate the development of renewable ocean energy in Europe, such as wave and tidal technologies, the Commission will present a new action plan on 20 January. As part of the plan, the Commission proposes to establish an 'Ocean Energy Forum' to act as a knowledge hub on ocean energy. It will be a forum for stakeholders to come together to discuss the challenges that the ocean energy sector is facing and to work out a joint strategy to speed up the further development of this promising new 'blue energy' field. Ocean energy could help reduce the EU's carbon footprint and provide a source of clean, reliable and secure energy to the EU.
Background
Seas and oceans have the potential to become important sources of clean energy. The ocean energy sector is highlighted in the EU Blue Growth Strategy as one of five developing areas in the blue economy that could help drive innovation and job creation in coastal areas.
Even though the global potential of ocean energy exceeds mankind's present and projected future energy needs, a number of these promising new technologies face hurdles on the road to commercialisation. The action plan aims to address and overcome these challenges.
The EU Blue Growth Strategy aims at creating sustainable economic growth and employment in the marine and maritime economy to help Europe's economic recovery. These economic sectors today provide jobs for 5.4 million people and contribute a total gross added value of around €500 billion. By 2020, these should increase to 7 million and nearly €600bn respectively.
More information
Website of Commissioner Maria Damanaki
Website of Commissioner Günther Oettinger
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