During a visit to the remote Hebridean Isle of Islay, Wilson committed £1.67 million towards the £2.7 million project which will turn wave-power from the ocean into megawatts for the national grid and which is expected to be launched next summer from a new marine energy testing centre to be built in Orkney. Once operational, in a location still to be determined, the technology will supply enough electricity to power 1400 homes.
Wavegen, the company behind the machine, has already successfully developed the first grid connected onshore wave energy generator on Islay (see related story). Wavegen is the UK’s leading developer of wave energy technology. It has already undertaken the initial design and development work for the new concept which now needs to be tested at sea.
“Wavegen’s commitment to this project is commendable and I hope other companies will follow their example,” Wilson commented. “Our oceans are a major potential energy source and can lead to a new industry for the UK in which I am determined that we should be world leaders. This development means wave power will be able to contribute to the
Government’s target of producing 10% of electricity from renewable energy by 2010.”