CorPower Ocean to Build 5 MW Wave Energy Project in Scotland

Swedish wave energy developer CorPower Ocean has announced a major milestone in its mission to harness the power of the ocean. The company has signed a berth agreement to construct a 5 MW wave energy project at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney, Scotland.

Scheduled for deployment in 2029, this 5 MW array is set to become the UK’s largest wave energy project to date. It will be located at EMEC’s grid-connected Billia Croo wave energy test site and will consist of 14 wave energy converters (WECs) operating for up to 15 years.

The WECs developed by CorPower Ocean feature a unique 9-meter diameter spherical composite hull, inspired by one of the strongest shapes in nature. This design drives the movement of the power take-off system in response to passing waves, optimizing energy capture.

Key innovations in the project include CorPower Ocean’s WaveSpring technology, which enhances motion and power capture in regular sea states, as well as a robust storm protection system that ensures the devices can withstand extreme conditions and allows for safe offshore maintenance access.

This initiative marks CorPower Ocean’s second project at EMEC, following successful testing of its C3 WEC at EMEC’s Scapa Flow test site in 2018 as part of the Wave Energy Scotland program. Subsequently, the company demonstrated its C4 device off the coast of Portugal, showcasing its resilience in the face of storm waves over 18 meters and its ability to feed electricity into the Portuguese grid.

With a confirmed supply chain, installation methods, and operations and maintenance procedures in place, CorPower Ocean is now focused on expanding its wave energy farm. The next phase involves adding three more WECs to form a small wave farm before proceeding with the construction of the 5 MW project at EMEC.

Anders Jansson, Head of Business Development at CorPower, expressed his excitement about the upcoming project, stating, “We are thrilled to be back at EMEC to build the first commercial wave farm. EMEC and Orkney offer significant expertise and an established supply chain, reducing risk and cost for the project.”

He further emphasized the importance of the UK’s renewable auctions in providing a route to market for the Billia Croo project. The Marine Energy Council (MEC) is advocating for the government to support wave energy projects through initiatives such as a dedicated funding allocation or clear capacity targets.

Matthew Finn, Managing Director at EMEC, welcomed CorPower Ocean’s return to the center, noting the company’s progression from initial testing in Orkney to larger-scale demonstrations in Portugal and now the development of a significant array at EMEC.