WWF-Australia has urged the federal government to invest in wave power following the release of a report on Thursday, titled, Power to Change: Australia's Wave Energy Future.
Greg Bourne, WWF chief executive, said an investment in the industry would create up to 3,210 jobs by 2010.
He called upon the government to give wave energy prominence in the Renewable Energy Target (RET) Scheme.
"Renewable technologies are the nuts and bolts of Australia's clean energy future," Bourne said on Thursday.
"What we are seeing here is the birth of a new industry that will provide tens of thousands of jobs and a technology and expertise that we can export around the world, as well as renewable energy to power Australia."
Managing director of wave energy developer Carnegie Corporation, Michael Ottaviano, said studies at their plant in Western Australia showed there was mass potential for the industry to flourish.
He said Australia had several optimal sites for wave energy plants including Geraldton and Albany in WA, Port MacDonnell in South Australia, Phillip Island in Victoria and the southern and central coasts of New South Wales.
"Australia has the largest and most consistent wave energy resource globally," Ottaviano said.
"At least 35 per cent of our current baseload power needs could be generated from the Southern Ocean."
Source: AAP NewsWire
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