Sweden-based wave energy developer CorPower Ocean has signed an agreement to build a 5MW wave energy project at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney, Scotland. The announcement was made by Scotland’s Deputy First Minister, Kate Forbes, during her keynote speech at the All-Energy Conference in Glasgow earlier this month.
The wave energy array is scheduled for deployment in 2029. Once operational, it will be the largest wave energy project in the UK. The project will be located at EMEC’s Billia Croo wave energy test site, which is connected to the electrical grid. The array will include 14 wave energy converters (WECs) designed to operate for up to 15 years.
Each WEC features a 9-meter diameter spherical composite hull. This shape, inspired by nature, is very strong. The hull moves with the waves and powers the device. Key technologies include CorPower Ocean’s WaveSpring system, which increases motion and power capture during regular sea conditions. The devices also have a storm protection system that locks them down in extreme weather and allows safe access for maintenance.
This is CorPower Ocean’s second project at EMEC. The company first tested its C3 wave energy converter at EMEC’s Scapa Flow site in 2018, supported by the Wave Energy Scotland program. Since then, CorPower Ocean has successfully tested its C4 device off the coast of Portugal. The device survived waves over 18 meters high and supplied electricity to the Portuguese grid. The company has also proven effective supply chains, installation methods, and maintenance procedures. The next phase includes adding three more WECs to create a small wave farm before building the full 5MW array at EMEC.
CorPower Ocean supports local manufacturing whenever possible. For this project, the hulls and other parts will be made in Orkney. This local approach aims to cut transport costs and reduce carbon emissions. It will also create skilled jobs and support local suppliers. Local vessels will be used to transport the devices to the site, keeping costs low.
Kate Forbes, Scotland’s Deputy First Minister, said, “Scotland has rich natural resources and strong expertise in marine renewables. This makes us well placed to develop tidal and wave energy, adding to our renewable energy mix. I am pleased to announce that CorPower Ocean will develop the UK’s largest wave farm at EMEC in Orkney. This project will create skilled jobs, support local businesses, and strengthen Scotland’s position as a global leader in marine renewables.”
First Commercial Wave Farm
Anders Jansson, head of business development at CorPower Ocean, said, “We are excited to return to EMEC to build the first commercial wave farm. EMEC and Orkney offer great expertise and an established supply chain, which help reduce risks and costs. The UK’s renewable energy auctions will be important to secure funding for the Billia Croo project. The Marine Energy Council is urging the government to include wave energy in this year’s auction, either through a dedicated £5 million fund or by setting clear targets.”
Matthew Finn, managing director at EMEC, said, “We are happy to welcome CorPower Ocean back to EMEC. We first hosted their tests at Scapa Flow in 2018. It is impressive to see how they have progressed — from small tests in Orkney, to larger demonstrations in Portugal, and now a full wave energy array at EMEC.”
He added, “Careful, step-by-step innovation is important to reduce risks and lower costs for sea-based technologies. Building what could be the UK’s largest wave energy array is a big step forward for CorPower Ocean and the entire wave energy sector.”
Finn concluded, “There is a huge wave energy resource worldwide — nearly ten times Europe’s annual electricity demand. Moving towards wave energy arrays is key to unlocking this potential. It can improve energy security, diversify the energy mix, and boost economies in coastal regions.”
