Wave Power Projects in Progress

Wave Power Projects In Progress Capacity

Expected Completion Date
Maui Wave Project 2.7MW 2009
Siadar Bay Wave Energy Project, Scotland 4MW 2010
Pelamis TBC
2MW Wave Power Facility Off North California Coast 2MW TBC
Orecon Prototype 1.5MW TBC
Makah Bay, Washington 1MW 2011
Western Australia Wave Power Station 100MW TBC
Coos County, Oregon 100MW TBC
Figueira da Foz, Portugal 2MW TBC
Ucluelet, BC, Canada 5MW TBC
Western Cape, South Africa 20MW TBC

Blue = proposed
Green = construction started
Red = proposal has been abandoned
Grey = project complete

What is Wave Power?

Wave power involves capturing the mechanical energy in waves and turning it into electricity. Wave systems come in a variety of configurations, some using the up and down motion of the wave, some the rocking motion, some the surging motion and some the variations in underwater pressure.

There are several technologies in which research is being done for the conversion of wave energy into electricity, including:

  • oscillating air columns that drive air turbines,
  • tapered channels that focus waves into a reservoir on cliffs. Electricity is generated by running falling water through a hydro-electric turbine,
  • floating vanes that oscillate in the waves, driving turbines directly,
  • articulated devices that convert vertical and horizontal movements into electricity.

Wave power is yet to be widely used with many of the planned projects still in feasibility stages and projects consisting of demonstration facilities rather than viable commercial ventures. However, technological advances continue and, by checking out the projects listed above, capacity is on the rise with various ventures in progress around the world.

Wave power can still be considered to be in the prototype stage and, as such, is too early to assess the full potential. For most wave power technologies, environmental impacts are expected to be low.