Barriers and drivers for tidal energy development: A case study of Ireland

European states have set ambitious targets to meet their climate goals and decarbonize their energy sector. These included development plans for the marine environment, knowing its potential in harnessing Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) through wind, wave and tidal resources. The latter is becoming highly attractive due to its predictability, reliability and potential to answer communities' energy needs, but it is still associated with several challenges that are often overlooked. This paper aims to identify the barriers and drivers for tidal energy development in Ireland following the recent policy changes. This is done through semi-structured interviews with key local and regional stakeholders in the ORE field, which are analysed following Braun and Clarke's Thematic Analysis approach. The main challenges for tidal energy development revolve around the uncertainties and dynamic nature surrounding the existing regulatory framework in terms of marine spatial planning and planning processes, in addition to the technology's high cost, limited competitiveness and lack of resources in state agencies and departments. Moreover, community objections, socio-economic interests and supply chains issues play a key role in project delays. Nevertheless, the technology offers undervalued advantages in terms of its predictability and reliability, particularly in remote and island communities. Interviews revealed the need to provide better clarity and faster action at all levels of the ORE value chain. This cannot happen without providing incentives, enhancing awareness and community participation, and ensuring environmental sustainability. As the identified barriers represent typical challenges encountered in other country-cases, Ireland can learn from leading EU and international countries to enable projects’ commercialization, and can also lead by example for similar island nations. • This paper examines the barriers and drivers for tidal energy development using the Republic of Ireland as a case study following the Government decision to shift from a developer-led to a plan-led approach. • A thematic analysis approach through semi-structured interviews with key public and private stakeholders in the ORE field was followed. • Tidal Energy offers undervalued advantages such as predictability and reliability, particularly in remote and island communities. • Qualitative interviews highlighted the need for more clarity at all levels of ORE development in future years, and underscored the dynamic and interconnected nature of ORE policies in Ireland. • Ireland is well positioned to learn from EU and international experience to enhance tidal and ORE potential and lead as an example for other island nations.