Assessment of Wave Energy Potential along the Egyptian Mediterranean Coast

Document Type : Original Article

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National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries (Egypt)

Abstract

The Mediterranean Sea, bordered by diverse nations and characterized by its unique climatic and oceanographic conditions, presents significant opportunities for wave energy. As global energy demands continue to rise and the urgency to mitigate climate change intensifies, harnessing renewable energy sources has become a critical focus for many countries. Among these sources, wave energy stands out due to its predictability, abundance, and potential for sustainable development. This paper presents a comprehensive assessment of wave energy resources along the Egyptian Mediterranean coast, utilizing hourly data from the ERA5 dataset covering the period from January 1979 to December 2024. The study focuses on the available ERA5 data grid points of SWH and wave energy, identifying ten strategic locations to evaluate the potential for wave energy generation. Also, the frequency of the occurrences of SWH with corresponding wave energy periods was calculated. The relationship between SWH and MWD was examined with wave energy data. A comparative evaluation of the ten sites for mean wave energy and mean wave power was studied. Results revealed that the highest wave energy occurrences align with SWH between 0.25 -1 m and wave periods of 3-8 s. The highest wave energy density falls within 0-1 m SWH and a directional range of 300-350°. Among the evaluated sites, Marsa Matrouh demonstrated the highest mean wave energy potential, while Alexandria exhibited the highest mean wave power output. Conversely, Port Said had the lowest potential. Overall, this study provides a foundational assessment for future wave energy exploitation along Egypt’s Mediterranean coast.

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