Abstract
This paper provides an assessment of the wave climate in South Wales, UK, focussing on buoy data. Additionally model results are used to provide information on spatial patterns in the resource. The main findings are mean wave power at the LCRI Waverider site is 18.1kW/m, 21.8kW/m at the West Pembrokeshire buoy and 17kW/m at the Turbot bank site. These measured resource estimates are slightly higher than previous model estimates. Seasonal variability is evident in wave height with lower wave heights in summer months. Variability in wave height also reduces in summer. The majority of waves are incident from between 240° and 270°. Estimates of extreme wave height and wave period are calculated from the longer data set. The 100 year return extreme wave height is estimated as 12.5m and the 10 year return mean wave period as 19s.