Final thumbs-up for Hayle Wave Hub go-ahead
8:10am Wednesday 9th January 2013 in News
The operator of the world’s largest grid-connected wave energy test site, located off the coast of Hayle, has been granted a three year marine licence for the deployment of equipment.
The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has granted consent to Cork-based OceanEnergy Ltd (OEL) to deploy its €9 million OE Buoy wave energy converter at Wave Hub, around 10 miles off the north coast.
The deployment of the one megawatt device is expected to take place later this year.
Claire Gibson, general manager at Wave Hub, said: "We are delighted that OEL has been given the green light from the MMO to deploy the first wave energy device at Wave Hub and that the consent process has gone so smoothly.
"We look forward to assisting them with their deployment later this year.”
John McCarthy, chief executive and co-founder of OceanEnergy Ltd said: “Having completed successful trials of a scale device for over three years in Galway Bay we are delighted to be the first developer to be awarded a marine license to deploy at Wave Hub.
"This will enable us to proceed with our anchor trials at the Wave Hub site and test the proposed system prior to a full-scale deployment."
A delegation from the MMO will be visiting Wave Hub and other marine energy facilities which make up the South West Marine Energy Park later this month.
Dr. Shaun Nicholson, head of offshore licensing at the Marine Management Organisation said: "We are committed to enabling sustainable growth in the marine area.
"Marine energy has huge potential in the UK and we are looking forward to learning more about the opportunities in the South West during our visit.”
OEL is leading the project with its technology partner Dresser-Rand, the largest service provider in the oil and gas industry.
The OE Buoy weighs 650 tonnes, is 37.5 metres long, 18 metres wide and has a draft of 9.8 metres.
