UK and France advance tidal power projects despite higher generation costs
By Eve
The UK and France are backing tidal stream technology that currently costs £259 per megawatt hour to generate, significantly more than wind or solar, but offers predictable output to complement intermittent renewables. Global tidal deployment stands at around 20 megawatts, with plans to reach 400 megawatts in the early 2030s through projects in Scotland and France. The industry is targeting an 80 per cent cost reduction to £50 per megawatt hour by 2035, according to Interesting Engineering.
Why it matters
Predictable tidal generation could reduce grid balancing costs and reliance on backup power, potentially lowering overall electricity bills despite higher per unit costs. For EV charging operators, a more stable renewable baseload may improve grid reliability and reduce exposure to price volatility during peak demand periods.
Source
- Original title
- “UK and France back tidal power that costs more to generate but could lower electricity bills”
- Published
- 29 October 2026
In this story
- Topic
- Grid & Energy
- Places
- United Kingdom · France
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