Marine Energy Fact Sheet

New Zealand is surrounded by ocean, and the waves and tides in our energetic coastal environment are a world-class resource for energy conversion. Internationally, significant research and development efforts are underway devising technologies to extract energy from waves and tides. Such technologies could play a significant part in New Zealand's future energy supply portfolio.

There are numerous locations in New Zealand where future wave or tidal energy technologies could be deployed to address local needs. Since the majority of the population of New Zealand lives near the coast, marine energy schemes will not require long transmission distances. Like wind turbines, it is probable that marine energy devices will be built incrementally and thus lend themselves to modular development. They should be quick to build and install.

Due to weather conditions, wave energy tends to peak in the winter season, when electricity demand is greatest. These technologies may help to off-set the ‘dry year' shortages, caused by New Zealand's current reliance on hydro generation.