China to Promote Tidal Energy as a Green Power Source for Coastal and Island Regions

China is set to advance the large-scale development of ocean energy, with a particular focus on tidal power as a supplementary green energy source for coastal areas and islands.

Source: China News Service

China is set to advance the large-scale development of ocean energy, with a particular focus on tidal power as a supplementary green energy source for coastal areas and islands. Gu Wu, Director of the Department of Marine Strategic Planning and Economy at the Ministry of Natural Resources, announced on the 24th that China will implement key tidal energy projects with capacities reaching 100 megawatts in resource-rich regions.

Gu made the remarks at a regular press conference held by the Ministry of Natural Resources, where officials elaborated on the newly released Guiding Opinions on Promoting the Large-Scale Utilization of Ocean Energy. This policy document, jointly issued by six government departments—the Ministry of Natural Resources, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Finance, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the National Energy Administration—lays out a roadmap for scaling up ocean energy development in China.

Gu emphasized that ocean energy—encompassing tidal range energy, tidal current energy, wave energy, ocean thermal energy, and salinity gradient energy—is a crucial renewable resource. Expanding its use will not only help address electricity shortages in China’s eastern coastal regions, remote islands, and offshore facilities but also support the country’s broader goals of modernizing its energy system, strengthening the marine economy, and enhancing its position as a maritime power.

To achieve these goals, the Guiding Opinions advocate for a "scientific assessment and planning-driven" approach. This includes conducting comprehensive surveys and evaluations of ocean energy potential across different regions, identifying key resource areas, and ensuring efficient and sustainable utilization. The policy also calls for forward-looking planning to reserve development space for future projects. The Guiding Opinions outline several major initiatives to accelerate the deployment of ocean energy projects:

1. Large-Scale Tidal Energy Projects: China will roll out 100-megawatt tidal energy projects in regions with abundant tidal resources, supporting their integration into the power supply for coastal and island communities.

2. Expansion of Wave Energy Utilization: Building on existing wave energy platforms—including "Zhoushan," "Changshan," "Nankun," and "Huaqing"—China will continue to develop megawatt-scale wave energy demonstration projects. The government will also encourage offshore wind farms to integrate wave energy technology.

3. Development of Ocean Thermal Energy: Leveraging the 20-kilowatt ocean thermal energy power generation unit operated by the China Geological Survey, new projects will be launched in regions with significant ocean thermal energy potential.

4. Multi-Energy Systems for Islands: To enhance energy security for island communities, China will support the construction of multi-source ocean energy power stations, ensuring a stable and continuous electricity supply for both island residents and nearby maritime operations.

With these initiatives, China aims to accelerate the commercialization of ocean energy and strengthen its role in the transition toward a more sustainable and resilient energy system.