E.ON UK and Ocean Prospect Co-operate on Wave Power Project

E.ON UK and Ocean Prospect have announced their agreement to work together to develop proposals for a potential 5MW wave power project in the sea off Cornwall.

The pioneering scheme would be connected to Wave Hub, an offshore electrical 'socket' developed by the South West of England Regional Development Agency (RDA). If approved, Wave Hub would sit on the seabed 10 miles off Hayle in Cornwall and be connected to the distribution network by an underwater cable.

The proposed 5MW project, called WestWave, would consist of up to seven Ocean Power Delivery Pelamis Wave Energy Converters and could generate enough clean, green electricity to power the equivalent of 3,000 households.

Jason Scagell, Director of E.ON UK Renewables, said: "This is a groundbreaking scheme and could eventually be one of the world's first large-scale wave energy farms.
"As an island nation it's important that we investigate all of our natural resources - such as wind and tides as well as waves - as we look to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases we produce.

"The lessons we learn now will be invaluable as we look to harness a clean, reliable resource that can make an important contribution to the nation's energy supply.

""hat's why we're delighted to be working with Ocean Prospect to develop WestWave and are eager to examine the feasibility of connecting to the pioneering Wave Hub project."

South West RDA submitted a planning application for Wave Hub in June with a decision expected by the end of the year. The Department of Trade and Industry recently underlined its support for the scheme with a grant of up to £4.5 million. If given the go-ahead, South West RDA expects Wave Hub to begin operating in 2008.

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Posted 14/09/06

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