Swedish CorPower Ocean is investing €16 million into a R&D, Manufacturing & Service Centre for Wave Energy Converters in Viana do Castelo, northern Portugal. The company also plans around 15 engineering jobs for the next three years.

The company said it has reached an agreement with local port authority APDL to develop the ocean energy facility. The facility will be located at Viana do Castelo commercial port. It will support CorPower in deploying its HiWave-5 pilot project and to supply commercial wave energy farms in the future.

CorPower’s work further complements the Portuguese Industrial Strategy for Ocean Renewable Energies. It designed to create a competitive and innovative industrial export cluster for ocean renewable energy.

The arrival of CorPower Ocean Portugal provides a foundation to ramp up exports and attract inward investment to the region.

The company chose Viana do Castelo because of a strong competence pool of engineers from adjacent sectors such as offshore wind, composite manufacturing and shipyards, top level universities and industrial infrastructure including ports and grid connection.

“Wave energy can play a fundamental role in Portugal’s transition to 100% renewable energy, while providing a platform to drive Portuguese exports and long-term investment opportunities for local supply chains. The arrival of HiWave-5 is set to reinforce Portugal’s reputation as a world leader in renewable energy, with significant investment in people, technology and facilities”, said Patrik Moller, the CEO of CorPower.

 

Source: AICEP, WATER POWER, RENEWABLES NOW, POWER ENGINEERING