Spanish energy company Elecnor SA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Australian ocean energy company, BioPower Systems, last week (29th October) to explore the development of wave energy projects in its core business regions; Spain, Portugal and South America. In announcing the deal Elecnor's Director of Business Development, Mr. A. Javier Esquivias, said that the company has developed a large international portfolio of wind and solar energy projects, and the extension into marine energy is a logical next step. "Wave energy is now emerging as a new clean energy source and we recognise many advantages if the right technology is used.

"BioPower appears to have solved the problems associated with earlier wave energy technologies and we are hopeful that their bioWAVET will be an enormous commercial success.

"Elecnor has a wealth of experience in electrical infrastructure and renewable energy projects, which can be mobilised to support wave energy projects," Mr. Esquivias said.

Welcoming the deal BioPower's CEO, Dr Tim Finnigan, said the two companies were planning a demonstration project in Spain that would follow the upcoming bioWAVET pilot testing in Australia. The demonstration project in Spain could commence as early as 2011.

"Elecnor has proven credentials in the development and delivery of renewable energy projects. This capability will speed up the process of rolling out our bioWAVET product in large-scale wave energy farms.

"After the first demonstration of a full-scale bioWAVET device in Spain, we would intend to commence developing wave energy farms.  The involvement of a large company like Elecnor is critical to achieving this, and we are very pleased to be working with them," Dr Finnigan added.