Wave energy developer CorPower Ocean has secured a berth agreement to build a 5MW wave energy project at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney, Scotland. The project, scheduled for deployment in 2029, is expected to become the UK’s largest wave energy farm upon completion.
The announcement was made by Scotland’s Deputy First Minister, Kate Forbes, during her keynote speech at the All-Energy Conference in Glasgow. The 5MW array will consist of 14 wave energy converters (WECs) and will be deployed at EMEC’s Billia Croo wave energy test site, with an operational lifespan of up to 15 years.
The WECs will feature CorPower Ocean’s innovative WaveSpring technology, designed to enhance motion and power capture in regular sea conditions. The devices are also equipped with a storm protection system that allows for safe offshore maintenance during extreme conditions.
“We are thrilled to be back at EMEC to build the first commercial wave farm,” said Anders Jansson, head of business development at CorPower Ocean. “EMEC and Orkney offer significant know-how and an established supply chain, reducing risk and cost for the project.”
This project follows CorPower Ocean’s previous work at EMEC, where the company tested its C3 WEC in 2018. The company also demonstrated its C4 device off the coast of Portugal, surviving storm waves over 18 meters and successfully generating electricity for the Portuguese grid.
Matthew Finn, managing director at EMEC, emphasized the importance of structured innovation in advancing wave energy technology. “Developing what could become the UK’s largest wave energy array is a major step forward— not only for CorPower Ocean, but for the wave energy sector as a whole,” he said.
The 5MW array project also aims to promote local manufacturing, with the hull and subsystems for the array expected to be built in Orkney. This will help reduce transportation costs and carbon emissions, while also creating skilled jobs and supporting the local supply chain.
Kate Forbes highlighted Scotland’s position as a global leader in marine renewables. “This new project will create skilled jobs in Orkney, support a developing supply chain, and reinforce Scotland’s global leadership in marine renewables,” she said.
The project also highlights the importance of the UK’s renewable energy auctions in providing a market for wave energy. CorPower Ocean hopes to leverage these auctions to secure a route to market for the Billia Croo project.
