Riding the Tide: Why wave and tidal power are gaining momentum

For decades, wave and tidal energy lingered on the fringes of the renewable landscape. The technology was promising, yet too costly, too complex, or too fragile to rival solar and wind. In 2025, that narrative is shifting. Improved designs, advanced materials, AI-driven monitoring, and renewed investment are pushing marine energy into serious global conversations. The ocean, one of the world’s most powerful and predictable forces, may finally be ready to contribute meaningfully to clean energy systems.
One of ocean energy’s greatest strengths is its predictability. Tides follow precise astronomical cycles that can be forecast years ahead, and wave patterns shaped by global wind systems provide steadier output than land-based wind. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the theoretical potential of marine energy exceeds 29,500 TWh annually, more than today’s global electricity demand. Yet only a fraction is captured. Early devices were plagued by corrosion, storm damage, and high installation costs. These challenges discouraged large-scale investment and limited deployments to pilot projects.
That pattern is now changing. Wave energy technologies, from long articulated offshore converters to hinged nearshore systems, are becoming more durable and efficient. Composite polymers and corrosion-resistant alloys have reduced maintenance demands, enabling devices to survive harsher conditions for longer. The European Marine Energy Centre reports that next-generation wave units can operate up to five years without major servicing, a significant improvement.
Tidal technology is also advancing. Modern seabed-mounted turbines resemble underwater wind turbines. They rotate slowly to minimise risks to marine life while generating substantial power thanks to seawater’s density. Scotland’s MeyGen project, the world’s largest tidal-stream array, has already produced more than 50 GWh of clean electricity and is now expanding commercially. Newer innovations include tidal kites, dynamic underwater wings developed by companies like Minesto, which boost energy capture in low-flow regions.
Several factors are driving momentum. Countries are seeking stable, diversified energy sources amid geopolitical disruptions. Manufacturing improvements and scaling are lowering costs, and the European Commission forecasts that marine energy prices could fall by 45 percent by 2030. Environmental impacts are also proving manageable. Marine devices have low visual footprints and minimal above-water noise. AI-assisted monitoring now allows real-time tracking of biodiversity, supporting responsible deployment.
Globally, activity is accelerating. The United Kingdom leads in tidal-stream projects through its Contracts for Difference scheme. Portugal continues pioneering wave trials under Horizon Europe. Canada’s Bay of Fundy, Japan’s deep-sea tidal zones near Okinawa and Hokkaido, and Australia’s remote coastal communities are becoming testbeds for new technologies. Island nations across the Pacific and Indian Oceans are exploring marine energy as a long-term alternative to diesel-powered grids.
Interest is emerging gradually in the Gulf. Oman’s long coastline, seasonal swells, and Vision 2040 goals make wave and tidal research a promising area for future exploration. Institutions in the UAE and Saudi Arabia are also assessing tidal-current zones as part of broader net-zero strategies.
Wave and tidal power will not replace solar or wind, but they can fill a critical gap by providing predictable and continuous renewable energy. After years on the sidelines, marine energy is finally gaining momentum. The tide is turning in its favour.