Danish Wave Energy Firm Completes Pre-Feasibility Study in Barbados

Danish wave energy firm Wavepiston has unveiled the conclusion of its Wave Energy in Barbados (WEB) project, completing a six-month pre-feasibility study conducted in collaboration with Export Barbados (BIDC), an agency of the Barbados Government.

The initiative, supported by EU funding, explored the viability of wave energy farms along the island’s Atlantic coastline. According to Wavepiston, the WEB project aimed to evaluate wave energy’s potential to diversify Barbados’ renewable energy portfolio and accelerate its climate goals.

The study assessed the feasibility of deploying Wavepiston’s wave energy technology in the region and identified technical, environmental, and economic challenges that need to be addressed.

“After 6 months of dedicated effort between Wavepiston and Export Barbados (BIDC) we announce the conclusion of our Wave Energy in Barbados (WEB) project, marking the end of the pre-feasibility study,” the company stated.

“WEB concluded the feasibility of Wavepiston wave energy farms along Barbados’ Atlantic coast and provided valuable insights into the technical, environmental and economic challenges that need to be overcome. The project also contributed to Wavepiston’s broader understanding of wave energy potential in small island developing states (SIDS).”

Wavepiston’s team noted that the groundwork laid by WEB would support future development opportunities in the wave energy sector for Barbados.

The WEB project was funded through the European Union’s Eureka Innowide program. Innowide is a Horizon 2020 project that aims to fund at least 120 European innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups to conduct viability assessment projects (VAPs) in markets outside of Europe in cooperation with local stakeholders.

It includes two calls with a total budget of €7.2 million, allowing funding for 120 VAPs, and targeting markets of developing countries, large emerging economies, and developed countries.

In March, Wavepiston and BIDC were set to explore the deployment of wave energy farms offshore Barbados.

In July, the Danish wave energy company and its compatriot offshore wind company Ørsted have established a partnership to examine the potential for co-location of wave energy and offshore wind in Denmark.