Posted on July 30, 2020
Commercial wave energy farms have moved a step closer as Sweden-headquartered CorPower Ocean?has secured 9 MEUR in equity funding.
The funding round was led by Midroc New Technology, with?additional?investment from ALMI Invest Greentech, EIT InnoEnergy and a group of private investors.
CorPower Ocean is a global leader in wave energy technology. Its new generation of high-efficiency WECs (Wave Energy Converters) are inspired by the pumping principles of the human heart. Advanced control technology allows large amounts of energy to be harvested using small, low-cost devices. A unique solution makes them transparent to storm waves, which provides survivability in the harshest ocean conditions.
Proceeds will be used to demonstrate the first commercial scale WEC within CorPower’s flagship HiWave-5 project – and for the long-term development of supply and service capacity for commercial wave energy farms.
The equity funding, which is combined with public investments that co-fund the program, will support CorPower’s pan-European efforts in Sweden, Portugal, Scotland and Norway.
CorPower Ocean CEO Patrik Möller said: “This funding package marks another significant milestone in the firm’s mission to introduce a new class of certified and warrantied WEC products. We are pleased to see continued strong support from investors who share our vision of bringing reliable and competitive wave energy technology to the world, unlocking one of the largest untapped sources of clean energy on earth.”
The HiWave-5 demonstration project aims to convert CorPower’s wave technology into a bankable product by 2024, by proving the survivability, performance and economics of a grid-connected array of WECs in northern Portugal. This will unlock mainstream renewable project financing for commercial array projects developed by our customers.
This funding announcement comes shortly after CorPower released plans for a new 16 MEUR (USD 18.1m) R&D, Manufacturing and Service Centre in Viana do Castelo, Portugal.
By Jake Frith
Source: maritimejournal
