Editing Geography of the United Kingdom (section)

=== Renewable energy potential ===
Given its extensive coastline, the UK has significant potential for generating electricity from wave and tidal energy.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Wave and tidal energy: part of the UK's energy mix |url=https://www.gov.uk/guidance/wave-and-tidal-energy-part-of-the-uks-energy-mix |access-date=2025-04-05 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Wave and tidal power {{!}} RenewableUK |url=https://www.renewableuk.com/our-work/future-energy-system/wave-and-tidal/ |access-date=2025-04-05 |website=www.renewableuk.com}}</ref> Studies estimate that [[Tidal stream generator|tidal stream energy]] could provide up to 11% of the UK's electricity demand, representing an installed capacity of 11.5 GW and contributing up to £17 billion to the economy by 2050.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Skopljak |first=Nadja |date=2024-01-04 |title=Tidal energy has potential to provide 11% of UK’s electricity demand, analysis says |url=https://www.offshore-energy.biz/tidal-energy-has-potential-to-provide-11-of-uks-electricity-demand-analysis-says/ |access-date=2025-04-05 |website=Offshore Energy |language=en-US}}</ref> Additionally, the UK's wave energy potential is substantial, with an average wave energy density of 32.5 kilowatts per meter along its 12,429 km coastline. The theoretical annual wave energy potential is estimated at 3,538 [[Kilowatt-hour|terawatt-hours]], which is approximately 11 times the nation's current electricity consumption.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-02-21 |title=Wave energy potential in the United Kingdom - NoviOcean |url=https://noviocean.energy/2024/02/21/wave-energy-potential-in-the-united-kingdom/ |access-date=2025-04-05 |language=en-US}}</ref>

Despite this potential, as of 2022, [[marine energy]] (including wave and tidal) contributed only 11 gigawatt-hours to the UK's electricity generation. This indicates that while the resources are abundant, their commercial exploitation remains limited.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UK: marine electricity generation 2020 {{!}} Statista |url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/555582/energy-generation-marine-electricity-uk/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20220706154938/https://www.statista.com/statistics/555582/energy-generation-marine-electricity-uk/ |archive-date=2022-07-06 |access-date=2025-04-05 |website=Statista |language=en}}</ref>

Efforts are ongoing to harness these renewable energy sources.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last=Grierson |first=Jamie |date=2025-03-19 |title=Urgent action needed to harness tidal power in Severn estuary, say experts |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/mar/19/urgent-action-needed-to-harness-tidal-power-in-severn-estuary-say-experts |access-date=2025-04-05 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref name=":2" /> For instance, the Severn Estuary Commission has recommended the development of tidal energy lagoons to boost economic growth and provide renewable energy, emphasizing the need for government support to initiate such projects.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Humphries |first=Will |date=2025-03-16 |title=Act now to turn ‘freak of geography’ into tidal energy, ministers told |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/act-now-to-turn-freak-of-geography-into-tidal-energy-ministers-told-3brgtlsc8?region=global |access-date=2025-04-05 |website=www.thetimes.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":3" />