Abstract
International regulation of marine renewable energy development in areas beyond national jurisdiction faces significant challenges due to the lack of relevant legally-binding rules governing this ocean sector. The main regulatory gaps and uncertainties of the high seas MREIs management are the issues of jurisdiction and ownership, resolution and mitigation of space use conflicts and environmental requirements and implications of energy development. The existing regulations alone would not be able to resolve these matters, therefore new approaches and governing mechanisms must be adopted and implemented. It could be suggested that the application of the flag state principle, marine special planning, environmental impact assessment, and creation of specialized international authority or delegation of regulatory functions to an existing international organization are potentially able to bring clarity in regulation and promote efficient ocean governance with respect to the high seas renewable energy development.