The Deployment of Tidal Stream Energy in the UK

Tidal stream energy is often described as a promising energy source because of its ability to generate low-carbon electricity while having a level of predictability that solar and wind energy do not. Since tidal currents follow regular astronomical cycles, future energy outputs can be estimated years in advance, giving tidal stream energy an advantage as a more dependable source of renewable electricity. Despite these advantages, tidal stream energy has not expanded at the same pace as other renewable technologies. This thesis examines why tidal stream energy has been difficult to scale, using the United Kingdom as its main focus. The UK has some of the strongest tidal resources in the world and has been one of the leading places for development in this field, yet installed capacity remains small relative to the availability of the resource. This study evaluates the key factors that continue to limit wider deployment, including technical challenges related to the survivability and reliability of turbines in harsh marine environments, as well as economic barriers related to high upfront costs and limited commercial development. Environmental uncertainty is also a major challenge, especially due to concerns about interactions with marine life and changes to local ecosystems, and how these influence the permitting process for new projects. By analyzing how these technical, economic, environmental, and regulatory challenges interact, this research shows why tidal stream energy has remained difficult to expand despite strong resource potential. The findings suggest that future growth will depend on continued policy support, improvements in device reliability, and more environmental evidence that can reduce uncertainty for new projects.