CorPower to Launch 5-MW Wave Energy Initiative at EMEC in Scotland

Swedish wave energy developer CorPower Ocean has inked a berth agreement to deploy a 5-MW wave energy project at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney, Scotland, which is poised to become the UK’s largest wave energy array.

Set for installation in 2029 at EMEC’s grid-connected Billia Croo test site, the project will feature 14 wave energy converters (WECs) operating for up to 15 years.

Scotland’s Deputy First Minister, Kate Forbes, announced the news at the All-Energy Conference in Glasgow on Wednesday.

The project is seeking government support. Anders Jansson, Head of Business Development at CorPower, stated, “The UK’s renewable auctions will be crucial in providing a pathway to market for the Billia Croo project. The Marine Energy Council (MEC) is advocating for the Government to contract its first wave energy project in this year’s auction, either through a GBP 5 million wave energy ringfence or by establishing a clear capacity ambition supported by an alternative mechanism.”

This will be CorPower’s second project at EMEC, following the testing of its C3 WEC in 2018. The company has since showcased its C4 device off the coast of Portugal, withstanding storm waves over 18 meters and delivering electricity to the grid. Before realizing the 5-MW project, CorPower plans to deploy three additional WECs to demonstrate a small wave farm.