EU Wind and Solar Beat Fossil Fuels in 2025, Boosting Tidal Energy
SkimNews Take
As variable renewables reach majority share in the grid, the economic premium for predictable marine energy rises disproportionately — making its value proposition increasingly tied to wind and solar penetration levels rather than its standalone cost.
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- Wind and solar power generated 30% of the EU's electricity in 2025, exceeding fossil fuels' 29% share, according to an Ember report analyzing full-year data across all 27 EU countries.
- Marine energy, particularly tidal power, is emerging as a predictable renewable source that can offset solar and wind intermittency, with proponents highlighting its potential for grid stability and hybrid microgrids.
- Tidal energy projects in Scotland’s Pentland Firth and the Morlais site off North Wales are progressing toward commercial operation, with the latter expected to launch the first commercial tidal farms from 2028.
- Peter Scheijgrond of Bluespring emphasizes that regulatory delays due to low awareness—such as confusion between wave and tidal energy—are a major barrier to marine energy deployment.
- IEC Technical Committee TC 114 is developing marine energy standards to support commercialization, with independent certification seen as essential for investor confidence and project bankability.
- Hybrid offshore systems combining wind, wave, and solar are envisioned for the future, with excess power used for green hydrogen production, particularly in strategic deployments off France and the UK.
Why it matters: The shift past fossil fuels in EU electricity marks a structural turning point, making grid-balancing renewables like tidal energy more valuable; with Morlais and Raz Blanchard projects advancing, marine energy could reduce reliance on costly storage if certification and regulation catch up to technology.
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