CorPower Ocean to Develop UK’s Largest Wave Energy Array in Orkney

Swedish wave energy developer CorPower Ocean has recently signed a berth agreement with the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney, Scotland, to develop a groundbreaking 5 MW wave energy array. This project is anticipated to be the largest wave energy installation in the UK.

The project, scheduled for deployment in 2029 at EMEC’s grid-connected Billia Croo site, will comprise 14 wave energy converters (WECs) with an operational lifespan of up to 15 years.

CorPower Ocean’s innovative WaveSpring technology, incorporated into the WECs, is designed to enhance power capture in regular sea states. Additionally, a storm protection system ensures device stability during extreme conditions, facilitating offshore maintenance access.

“Scotland is in a prime position for the development and deployment of tidal stream and wave energy,” stated Kate Forbes, Deputy First Minister of Scotland, expressing enthusiasm for CorPower Ocean’s project at EMEC.

CorPower Ocean’s collaboration with EMEC marks its second project at the center, following the successful testing of its C3 WEC in 2018. The company has since demonstrated its C4 device in Portugal, generating electricity for the national grid and operating in storm waves exceeding 18 meters.

“We are thrilled to be back at EMEC to build the first commercial wave farm,” said Anders Jansson, Head of Business Development at CorPower, emphasizing the significance of EMEC’s expertise and established supply chain in reducing project risks and costs.

As a precursor to the 5 MW array, a smaller wave farm featuring three WECs is planned. Local manufacturing of hulls and subsystems in Orkney will minimize logistics costs and emissions, with local vessels facilitating loadout and towing operations.

“Developing what could become the UK’s largest wave energy array is a major step forward,” noted Matthew Finn, Managing Director at EMEC, underscoring the potential of wave energy to enhance energy security, diversify energy sources, and stimulate economic growth in coastal regions.

CorPower Ocean’s recent partnership with UK-based Equipmake aims to enhance its wave energy technology through a custom generator and silicon carbide (SiC) inverter system. Moreover, the company has received funding from Vinnova, Sweden’s national innovation agency, for integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into its wave energy technology in collaboration with NTNU.