Study on the possibility of developing ocean energy resources of East African coastal member states

Abstract

This study is based on critical review of all available publications on the possibility of developing ocean energy resources in Africa with particular reference to East African coastal member States, and one island country (Mauritius). All the accessible forms of ocean energy resources could be classified according to their origin, lifespan and best use and table 1 lines up these forms of energy In this paper, five forms of ocean energy are discussed but some researchers are inclined to include here wind energy and biomass produced in the ocean In some other studies, offshore winds and marine biomass are included in a separate group embracing ocean currents, salinity gradients and ocean geothermal energy. All of these sources of energy are in the early stage of consideration and their development cannot be expected in the near future.