Energy company Vattenfall announced yesterday that it is to take the last remaining berth at Scotland’s European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney to test a Pelamis ‘sea snake’ wave energy device.

The company says it hopes to start testing a Pelamis device in 2014, confirming previous statements that it is to purchase a device from Pelamis Wave Power later this year.

The purchase is predicated upon progress in its ‘Aegir’ plan for a 10 MW wave energy development off the Shetland Islands, which will require new cabling to be laid between the islands and the Scottish mainland.

“If Vattenfall is to use ocean energy to support its long term shift to low carbon generation it needs to be confident that the technology it uses will be safe, reliable and productive,” stated Veijo Huusko, head of the company’s research and development division. “That is why we plan to purchase Pelamis Wave Power’s latest, second-generation machine and test it at EMEC in Orkney.”

Pelamis Wave Power’s P2 device is already being tested at EMEC by other developers and commercial director Richard Yemm says the announcement from Vattenfall is a signal that the technology is ready to be commercialised.

“The fact we have three major utility customers on board is unique in the marine energy sector,” adds chief executive Per Hornung Pedersen.

“Vattenfall’s commitment to securing a berth to test a Pelamis machine demonstrates further evidence of utility endorsement of our technology.”

The Scottish Government’s Energy Minister Fergus Ewing also welcomed the announcement as a testament to Scotland’s potential to become a centre for renewable energy development.

“Vattenfall’s announcement today represents a further significant milestone towards the deployment of commercially viable arrays and is a strong endorsement of Pelamis Wave Power’s technology and EMEC’s unrivalled expertise,” he said.

For further information:
www.vattenfall.com
www.pelamiswave.com/
www.emec.org.uk/
www.aegirwave.com

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