Wave & Tidal Energy Market Forecasts to 2030 - Global Analysis By Component (Turbines, Generators, Subsea Cables and Other Components), Location, Technology, Application, End User and By Geography

According to Stratistics MRC, the Global Wave & Tidal Energy Market is accounted for $1.02 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach $17.57 billion by 2030 growing at a CAGR of 9.4% during the forecast period. Wave and tidal energy refer to renewable forms of energy derived from the movement of oceans. Wave energy harnesses the up-and-down motion of surface waves generated by wind, converting it into electricity through various technologies such as point absorbers or oscillating water columns. Tidal energy, on the other hand, captures the energy from the ebb and flow of tides caused by gravitational forces from the moon and sun.

According to the World Wave and Tidal Energy Development Report (WSHPDR), 2020, wave and tidal energy represented approximately 1.5% of the world's total electricity installed capacity, 4.5% of the total renewable energy capacity, and 7.5% of the total hydropower capacity in the year.

Market Dynamics:

Driver:

Increasing focus on renewable energy goals

Governments worldwide are setting ambitious targets to reduce carbon emissions and enhance energy security, incentivizing investments in sustainable energy sources like wave and tidal energy. This commitment fosters research and development, improves technology efficiency, lowers costs through economies of scale, and expands market opportunities. Moreover, the predictable nature of ocean energy ensures reliable electricity generation, making wave and tidal energy integral to achieving long-term renewable energy goals globally.

Restraint:

Environmental impact

Wave and tidal energy projects can have environmental impacts such as disturbance to marine ecosystems and wildlife habitats. Installation and operation of infrastructure like wave energy converters and tidal turbines may affect fish and marine mammal behaviour, disrupt sediment transport, and alter coastal processes. Concerns over these impacts can lead to stringent regulatory requirements, project delays, increased operational costs for mitigation measures, and public opposition.

Opportunity:

Favourable regulatory frameworks& incentives

Governments often offer incentives such as feed-in tariffs, tax credits, grants, and subsidies to promote renewable energy development, including wave and tidal projects. Clear and supportive regulatory policies streamline project approvals, facilitate grid integration, and ensure compliance with environmental standards. These measures not only attract private capital but also foster innovation in technology and project management, driving forward the commercial viability and scalability of wave and tidal energy solutions.

Threat:

Technological challenges

Technological challenges in wave and tidal energy include the need for robust devices capable of withstanding harsh marine environments, optimizing energy conversion efficiency, and ensuring reliability over extended periods. These challenges lead to high development costs and uncertainties regarding performance and maintenance. Such factors deter investors and increase project risks, slowing market growth.

Covid-19 Impact

The covid-19 pandemic impacted the wave and tidal energy market by causing delays in project timelines, disruptions in supply chains, and reduced investment due to economic uncertainty. Lockdown measures hindered on-site construction and testing, leading to setbacks in project deployment and operational advancements. Despite these challenges, governments and industry stakeholders continued to support research and development efforts, aiming to resume growth as economic conditions stabilize and demand for renewable energy persists.

The power generation segment is expected to be the largest during the forecast period

The power generation segment is estimated to have a lucrative growth. Wave and tidal energy represent promising renewable sources for power generation. Harnessing the kinetic energy of waves and tides, these technologies convert natural movements into electricity. They offer predictable generation patterns, contributing to grid stability. As sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels, wave and tidal energy hold significant potential in diversifying the global energy mix.

The commercial segment is expected to have the highest CAGR during the forecast period

The commercial segment is anticipated to witness the fastest CAGR growth during the forecast period. Wave and tidal energy are increasingly sought after in commercial applications for their renewable nature and predictable availability. Companies are developing technologies to harness these energies efficiently, aiming to integrate them into grid systems for reliable power supply. As sustainable energy sources, wave and tidal power offer long-term benefits for commercial enterprises seeking to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

Region with largest share:

In the Asia-Pacific region, the wave and tidal energy market is gaining momentum driven by increasing focus on renewable energy sources and coastal infrastructure development. Countries like Japan, South Korea, and Australia are leading the way with significant investments in wave and tidal energy projects. These nations benefit from their extensive coastlines and strong technological capabilities in marine engineering. Government policies promoting clean energy and reducing carbon emissions further support market growth.

Region with highest CAGR:

In North America, the wave and tidal energy market is growing as governments and private sectors seek to diversify energy sources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The United States and Canada lead in research, development, and deployment of wave and tidal energy technologies, driven by abundant coastlines and strong technical expertise. Initiatives such as funding support, regulatory frameworks, and collaborations between industry and academia are fostering innovation and project scalability.

Key players in the market

Some of the key players profiled in the Wave & Tidal Energy Market include Aquamarine Power, Atlantis Resources, AW-Energy, BioPower Systems, Bombora Wave Power, Carnegie Clean Energy, CorPower Ocean, Eco Wave Power, Minesto, OpenHydro, Orbital Marine Power, Pelamis Wave Power, Seabased, Tocardo International BV, Wello Oy, Mocean Energy.

Key Developments:

In March 2024, Scottish renewable energy company Orbital Marine Power was confirmed as the technology partner for the proposed Orcas Power and Light Cooperative (OPALCO) site in Washington State's Rosario Strait near Blakely Island. This follows the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) selection of two marine energy projects to receive USD 6 million to develop a pilot site for tidal energy research, development, and demonstration in 2021.

In June 2021, Mocean Energy commenced testing its Blue X wave energy prototype at the European Marine Energy (EMEC) in Orkney. The wave energy machine was recently towed from Kirkwall to EMEC's Scapa flow test site for commission for initial sea trials.

Components Covered:

• Turbines
• Generators
• Subsea Cables
• Other Components

Locations Covered:

• Offshore
• Nearshore

Technologies Covered:

• Wave Energy
• Tidal Energy

Applications Covered:

• Power Generation
• Desalination
• Aquaculture
• Environmental Monitoring
• Coastal Protection & Erosion Control
• Recreation & Tourism
• Other Applications

End Users Covered:

• Utilities
• Government
• Commercial
• Industrial
• Residential
• Other End Users

Regions Covered:

• North America
  • US
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • Italy
  • France
  • Spain
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • Japan
  • China
  • India
  • Australia
  • New Zealand
  • South Korea
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• South America
  • Argentina
  • Brazil
  • Chile
  • Rest of South America
• Middle East & Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • UAE
  • Qatar
  • South Africa
  • Rest of Middle East & Africa

What our report offers:

• Market share assessments for the regional and country-level segments
• Strategic recommendations for the new entrants
• Covers Market data for the years 2022, 2023, 2024, 2026, and 2030
• Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)
• Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations
• Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends
• Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments
• Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancements

Free Customization Offerings:

All the customers of this report will be entitled to receive one of the following free customization options:

• Company Profiling
  • Comprehensive profiling of additional market players (up to 3)
  • SWOT Analysis of key players (up to 3)
• Regional Segmentation
  • Market estimations, Forecasts and CAGR of any prominent country as per the client's interest (Note: Depends on feasibility check)
• Competitive Benchmarking
  • Benchmarking of key players based on product portfolio, geographical presence, and strategic alliances