Finland-based AW Energy, an ocean wave energy company, is working with the Government of Sri Lanka to set up a project to harness the potential of ocean wave energy around the southern coast of Sri Lanka.
AW Energy, ranked number one globally in this technology, according to a survey by Bloomberg, will work with Sri Lankan company Sunpower Systems (Pvt) Ltd, in their local operations.
Wave energy is the largest untapped form of renewable energy in the world. It is on track to produce 10% of the global energy demand in upcoming decades. The global installed capacity of wind and solar power at the end of 2014 was 360 GW and 150 GW respectively, said John Liljelund – CEO, AW Energy.
WaveRoller is installed in the near-shore area at depths of approximately eight to twenty meters, where it captures the sweet spot of the surge phenomenon as well as avoids the most violent storms. Because the largest waves break naturally before entering near-shore areas, WaveRoller devices elude the devastating waves that can harm offshore installations.
The best wave energy resources are concentrated on the coastlines where the majority of the populations live and the demand for renewable energy is most needed. AW-Energy has several projects initiated in prime near-shore wave energy hubs including Portugal, France, Ireland and Chile.
He said feasibility studies are now being conducted and they hope to start the project next year.
We hope to generate around 15 Mega Watts from the first project.
Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe visited the AW Energy in Helsinki last month on a study tour and held discussions with Liljelund and the AW Energy staff.