Wave Energy

The use of devices which harness wave energy to make electricity is becoming increasingly popular in the UK. The RYA explains how these devices work and how they can affect recreational boating.

Marine renewable energy covers a range of technologies including wave, tidal and ocean thermal energy conversion. Unlike the three-bladed turbines used to capture wind energy, there is a large range of technologies used to harness wave energy. The process by which the most popular technologies work can be seen below, but in practice, they could look very different both in size and shape. 

Wave Energy Sites in the UK

There are a number of wave energy sites already leased within UK waters. The Crown Estate website lists information about each project, including test sites, and where each site is in the planning process. You can also click on the image below for a larger view of The Crown Estate map. 

The RYA Position

Whilst the RYA acknowledges the Government's desire to promote renewable energy, it is keen to ensure that the navigational safety of recreational craft is safeguarded around the coast.

The RYA has developed a detailed position statement on offshore renewable wave energy developments, based on recreational craft data, which it provides to every developer during the consultation process. The RYA believes that the impact that wave energy devices have on recreational boating can be minimised provided developers fully consider the following key points:

• Collision risk. The RYA believes that the collision risk to recreational craft can be minimised by specifying a minimum safe water clearance over submerged structures, moving components and associated infrastructure determined in accordance with the MCA Under Keel Clearance policy paper.
• Charting, marking and lighting. The RYA supports the guidance provided by the MCA, UKHO and GLAs and works with them to identify site specific issues that may occur.
• Navigational and communication equipment. Any proposed development should account for any effect on small craft navigation and communication equipment in detail.
• Location. Recreational routes, general sailing area, racing areas and access to boating facilities and anchorages must be considered when examining the impacts of wave energy devices and arrays and their associated infrastructure. Poorly sited wave energy devices and arrays and those built within the 12nm limit may increase the risk to navigational safety and discourage visiting boaters to the area.  This would have an adverse effect not only on the visitors but also on the local economy.
• Sailing and racing areas. Any interference or adverse impact caused by a wave energy device or array that encroaches into a racing or sailing area would create a significant negative impact on boating and diminish its value for recreation.
• Cumulative and in-combination effects. The RYA expects development site plans to include all adjacent developments that may have cumulative and in-combination effects on shipping and navigation.

The RYA has also carried out an extensive mapping project to identify the main cruising routes, sailing and racing areas to better inform the management process. Initially this culminated in a detailed description of cruising routes, racing and sailing areas for the three strategic wind farm development areas in 2004 and is reported in the document 'Sharing the Wind'.

This project then evolved to cover the whole of the UK following considerable demand from the offshore renewable energy industry. In 2005, with funding from Trinity House, the RYA produced the first UK Coastal Atlas of Recreational Boating. This dataset has since been updated and is now regularly incorporated into developers’ consultations and navigational risk assessments.