Energy companies E.ON and ScottishPower Renewables, part of Spanish group Iberdrola Renovables, have announced plans to work together on the testing of Pelamis’ ‘sea snake’ wave power device.
Testing of Pelamis Wave Power’s device – named the Vagr Atferd – began in May, when E.ON installed the device at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney.
Last week, E.ON announced that the 1300 tonne, 180 m long, 750 kW P2 device has started generating energy for the first time.
Now a second device, which Pelamis are building for ScottishPower Renewables, will be installed alongside the E.ON device next year.
The two companies will share information from the trial and look at the potential for larger, commercial schemes.
“This project will play an important role in turning Scotland’s marine energy potential into a reality,” says Alan Mortimer, head of policy at ScottishPower Renewables. “[It] will advance the day when we are ready to proceed with our plans for large scale deployment.”
ScottishPower Renewables was awarded development rights by The Crown Estate to the Marwick Head site in the Pentland Firth, along with another site, where it plans on installing 66 Pelamis devices with a total generating capacity of 50 MW.
E.ON also won two 50 MW tidal sites off the Orkney coast in The Crown Estate’s round 1 marine leasing programme.
“If we’re to bring marine energy to the market then it’s absolutely vital that we take a collaborative approach to ensure this technology is able to fulfil its potential,” says Amaan Lafayette, marine energy manager at E.ON.
Meanwhile, reports in the media hint that Swedish energy company Vattenfall may be about to make a major investment in a large number of the Pelamis devices for a project off the Shetland Isles.