Pelamis and Vattenfall join forces to develop Scottish wave energy project
Elaine Brass
17th December 2009
Edinburgh technology developer, Pelamis Wave Power, has teamed up with Swedish state-owned utility company, Vattenfall, to develop Scotland’s first wave power project.
The joint venture, Aegir Wave Power Ltd, will explore the potential of Scottish wave power off the Shetland Islands.
Aegir will deploy Pelamis Wave Power’s second generation ‘P-2’ wave energy converter and work towards installing a 20 megawatt project.
The Pelamis machine can be deployed as multiple units in ‘wave farms’, each producing sufficient electricity to meet the annual demands of 500 UK households.
The Aegir partners state that they plan to install the first phase, multi-machine array by 2014, if planning consent is gained and the subsea cable between the Shetland Islands and Scottish mainland is constructed. Ultimately, their ambition is for wave projects to grow to the same scale as offshore wind projects, and Aegir is seen as key to that.
The partners believe the project, which was announced on the same day that Scotland’s First Minister, Alex Salmond, opened Vattenfall’s new offices in Edinburgh, will be a potential candidate for the Saltire Prize, the Scottish Government’s marine power innovation award.
"It is clear that Scotland is now seen as the natural home for those who wish to develop and succeed in the marine renewable sector. The Scottish Government is committed to developing a world-class wave and tidal energy sector and to maintain our position as a global leader in the development and deployment of these technologies,” said Scotland’s First Minister.
Dr Helmar Rendez, head of Group Function Strategies at Vattenfall, said: “The partnership with Pelamis allows us to work on developing a site that will prove very productive when we make wave power a commercial reality. We are pleased to tie-up with Pelamis and take this project forward as we have big hopes for the future of wave power and see Scotland as a good place to do this.”
Neels Kriek, the new Pelamis Wave Power chief executive, said: “We are delighted to be working with Vattenfall on this ground breaking project which we hope will be one of many for our Scottish built P-2 Pelamis machine.”
The partners state that a programme of engagement is already underway with Shetland Islanders to identify and develop the best possible project.