Hi Peter,
What an interesting question!
RWE npower has a long standing relationship with Marine Current Turbines (MCT), R&D finance and research grants to better understand the interaction of large bodied sea mammals with underwater turbines to name but two. We have also installed three MCTs off the Welsh coast.
To answer your question in a nutshell, cost - plus Britain's primary heating fuel is still gas. Onshore and offshore wind will have a vital role to play over the next 15 years as Britain tries to de-carbonise its energy supply. Marine renewables are approx 15 years behind wind.
We would also face concerns over the environmental impact of under-water turbines.
Is there a future for marine renewables? Absolutely, but given the current economic climate, and rising household bills including energy, it is going to be a while until we see large scale deployment of marine renewables.
