The European Commission has proposed an action plan to support the development of blue energy, also called ocean energy. According to an impact assessment accompanying the document 40.000 jobs could be created in the industry by 2035 and 100GW of energy is aspired to be provided by 2050.

The commission considers all technologies that harvest renewable energy of our seas and oceans (other than offshore wind) as blue energy. The energy technologies that are currently being developed are exploiting the potential of tides and waves as well as differences in temperature and salinity.

Completion of this action plan in the period 2014-2017 should help the industrialisation of the sector, so that it can provide cost-effective, low-carbon electricity as well as new jobs and economic growth for the EU economy.

For more information have a look at the website of the European Commission (link opens in new browser window).