​The CoR plenary adopted the opinion of the EA member and member of the Welsh Assembly, Rhodri Glyn Thomas on developing the potential of ocean energy.
 
Energy from tides and waves could provide up to 10%of electricity demand by 2050 and contribute to job creation at local level, the revitalization of small middle size ports and the development new supply chains.
Ocean energy could also be a game changer in the road to the decarbonization of the economy but it has to secure financing as it is still quite expensive.
 
The sector still faces barriers (technology, finance and consenting procedures) and it is necessary public , private , research centres and environmental organizations pool resources and knowledge to bring ocean energy technologies to maturity.
 
Tidal power and wave power could be exploited in the different sea basins and in different conditions though the Atlantic at present is regarded to provide with the best environment and is seeing a high number of projects being developed. The rapporteur suggest creating an Atlantic Macroregion which could help stakeholders to jointly address challenges and share knowledge  in order to achieve cost reduction.
 
In most of the cases EU Regions have taken the lead: in primis, Wales, Scotland, Brittany, Basque Country, Normandy, Flanders. Read the full Press release.
 
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