The contract to build first commercial wave energy PowerBuoy® system in North America has been awarded to Oregon Iron Works it was revealed today (4th December) in a statement from Ocean Power Technologies. Construction of this first PowerBuoy system, says the comany, represents Phase One of an expected 10-PowerBuoy Reedsport wave power station which will generate approximately 1.5 megawatts of electricity. The nine additional PowerBuoys will be constructed and installed under Phase Two of the project.

Work on the UK's Wave Hub marine energy project began in earnest this week (November 30) with engineers starting to drill through sand dunes at Hayle in Cornwall. When it is complete Wave Hub will be the world's largest test site for wave energy technology. The £42 million project has been developed by the South West RDA (Regional Development Agency) and is a cornerstone of its strategy to develop a world class marine energy industry in South West England.