Pelamis P-2 powers on in Orkney
A Pelamis wave energy converter is towed from the quayside.
Edinburgh based Pelamis Wave Power (PWP) has won an order from UK renewable energy generator E.on for the next generation Pelamis Wave Energy Converter, known as the P-2.
This is 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, subsation 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.
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