An energy conference in Wellington has been told marine energy could produce 8000 megawatts of electricity for New Zealand.
The prediction was made in a speech by Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority chief executive Mike Underhill to the Awatea Wave and Tidal Energy Association conference on Monday.
He told the audience the electricity would come from harvesting the energy from New Zealand's coastal waves and tidal flows, some of which, in Cook Strait for example, are very powerful.
At this stage, though, the industry is still embryonic - both in this country and overseas - with just five projects in New Zealand in preparatory stages.
A scheme for Kaipara Harbour in Northland is most advanced, awaiting an Environment Court judgement.
New Zealand's entire capacity from all sources is at present not a great deal more than 8000 megawatts, which is the equivalent to the output of 13 Benmore dams.
