Joint wave technology project receives major boost

Creation date: 23 March 2010

Wave Energy and the Port of Hanstholm have taken a major step towards the full scale implementation and testing of the SSG breakwater wave energy technology in the Hanstholm harbour area in Denmark, after they agreed on the financing of a development project together with Innovation Norway.

The development project started on March 15,  and the purpose is to come up with a solution for integrating the SSG breakwater technology, Wave Energy´s patented and innovative solution for more efficient utilization of waves to generate electricity,  into the development plans the Port of Hanstholm have for their new harbour area. The General Manager of Wave Energy, Monika Bakke is pleased that a financial package has been agreed upon.

– We came up with a solution where all three parties pay a third each of the total budget of 1.8 million NOKs. We are very happy with this arrangement, and feel it is a strong commitment from all parties to look at integrating sustainable and environmentally sound solutions in this major building project, Ms. Bakke said

A full scale implementation of the technology will require new solutions for design, construction and installation for Wave Energy, and Ms. Bakke believes it is a step in the right direction for her company.

– For us the project means raising our competency to a higher level and also a major step towards the international commercialization of our technology, she said.

There has been close cooperation between the Port of Hanstholm management and Wave Energy for the past year to realise the project. Port Director of the Port of Hanstholm, Birgitte Klittenberg Juhl, believes implementing the technology is a natural consequence to them.

– As it happens we have the best waves in Denmark. Therefore there´s a lot of interest from wave technology companies. In connection with the construction of our new piers, it was only natural that we, instead of regarding the waves as an enemy destroying our piers, see them as a resource from which we can create lasting energy. Ms. Juhl said.

The construction work on the new parts of the harbour is set to start in 2012.

For any questions or interview, please contact

General Manager of Wave Energy, Monika Bakke, on number +47 41 44 84 85 or send an e-mail to monika.bakke@waveenergy.com.

Port Director, Port of Hanstholm Birgitte K. Juhl , on number +45 51 58 38 20 or send an e-mail to bj@portofhanstholm.dk