To better understand the development of marine renewable energy in Reunion Island, a Regional Marine Energy Plan (SREMER) was drawn up in 2018, updating the first document produced in 2009 by ARER. This plan, although indicative and without regulatory value, is a strategic tool to guide public and private decision-makers on the development of marine renewable energy on the island. It complements the Multiannual Energy Programme (PPE).
The SREMER explores the different sources of marine energy: swell, marine currents, offshore wind, ocean thermal energy, osmotic energy and pumped storage. While some technologies are still under development, others offer real potential for Reunion Island.
Three sectors stand out in particular:
- Floating wind, thanks to favourable zones off the south-west and north-west of the island;
- Ocean thermal energy, already mature in some regions of the world, particularly for air conditioning or freshwater production;
- Wave energy, developing rapidly in Asia, with a technological diversity suited to island environments.
In a context of energy transition and with the goal of energy autonomy, marine energy appears to be an opportunity for a non-interconnected territory such as Reunion Island.
The full document is available to download here 👇
To find out more and access the appendices, please contact us by email at contact@energies-reunion.com
