Wave energy converters: Overview
Five rival machines trying to tame the restless sea
What this tile covers Devices that turn the motion of waves into electricity. Share of use 0% share of world energy supply (2024)Share of world total energy supply captured or extracted by each method, 2024 (latest year where noted). Denominator is the Energy Institute Statistical Review 2025 total of 592.2 EJ (physical energy content method); electricity from wind, solar, hydro and geothermal is counted at output, nuclear at reactor heat. Heat and biomass flows outside EI's total are set against the same 592.2 EJ. Only about 0.8 MW of wave devices were in the water in Europe at end-2024; the best-recorded plant (Mutriku) gave 210 MWh. Share rounds to zero. Source: Ocean Energy: Key Trends and Statistics 2024, Ocean Energy Europe (copy hosted by PNNL Tethys).
Key facts
| Output | Electricity |
| Chain | Solar → wind → kinetic (waves) → mechanical or pneumatic → electrical |
Included from the reference tables
- Oscillating water columns
- Point absorbers (buoys)
- Attenuators
- Overtopping devices
- Oscillating wave surge converters (flaps)
Also in Water and ocean
HyD Hydropower damsHyR Run-of-river and small hydroTdP Tidal and ocean-current powerOTEC OTEC and salinity powerExplore paths from here
More on this tile in the tabs above: efficiency, techniques, resources and labour, impact on the biosphere.