E.On UK Orders Wave Generators
Pelamis Wave Power has received an order from E.on for the next generation of Pelamis Wave Energy Converter, known as the P-2. The machine will be built at Pelanis Wate Power's new Leith Docks facility Edinburgh (UK) and put through its paces at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney.
The new machine will be 180m long and includes a range of enhanced design features to improve performance and ease of manufacture.
This will be the first time a major utility has ordered a wave energy converter for installation in the UK and the first time the P-2 machine will be tested anywhere in the world.
PWP already has the world's first multi-unit wave farm operational some 5km off the north coast of Portugal at Agucadora, where three 750kW machines deliver 2.25MW of electricity to the Portuguese grid. Operator Enersis has issued a letter of intent to PWP for a further 20MW of capacity to expand the successful project.
Licenses, consents and funding have been granted for the Orcadian Wave Farm, which will consist of four Pelamis generators supplied by PWP to ScottishPower Renewables. This installation, also at EMEC, will utilise existing electrical subsea cables, substation and grid connection.
Funding and consent has also been granted for Wave Hub, a wave energy test facility 15km off the north coast of Cornwall UK which is expected to be commissioned this year. It will consist of four separate berths, each capable of exporting 5MW of wave generated electricity. Ocean Prospect has secured exclusive access to one of the Wave Hub berths for the connection of multiple Pelamis machines.
