‘The launch of Israel's first wave energy power plant is more than just a technological achievement – it's a powerful statement about the future we envision. This project at Jaffa Port represents a historic milestone in the global renewable energy journey, proving that sea waves can be a viable, clean and consistent source of electricity,’ says Inna Braverman, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Eco Wave Power.

The EWP-EDF One project, located within the Blue Economy Innovation Hub in the Port of Jaffa, was built by Eco Wave Power and EDF Renewables Israel in collaboration with the Tel Aviv-Yafo Municipality and local company Atarim.  

The system has an installed capacity of 100 kW and comprises 10 floaters. It was connected to the Israeli grid in late 2023, when it was the first in Israel to directly supply wave-generated electricity to the national grid, the company says.  

In September 2024, an automation system was installed that enables power generation from waves as low as 0.4 metres, as well as improving operational data accuracy and enhancing system safety. Energy generation continues to increase, improving 27% in the three months to the end of that month, at which point the project had reached 83% of forecast energy for the site, according to a quarterly company report.

In other news, the company obtained the final permit to install what is set to become the first onshore wave energy installation in the US at AltaSea’s premises in the Port of Los Angeles. Eight wave energy floaters are planned to be installed on the piles of an existing concrete wharf structure on the east side of Municipal Pier One. The system will also include an energy conversion unit, comprised of two 20-foot shipping containers, which will be placed on the wharf deck and connected to the floaters. Installation is expected by the end of March 2025.

Meanwhile, in Portugal, Eco Wave Power kicked off its first megawatt-scale wave energy project in Porto. In September 2024, it engaged with local civil engineering companies to prepare the full execution plans and began coordinating grid connection for the first 1 MW and related infrastructure.

Finally, in Taiwan, Eco Wave Power signed a sale agreement with I-Ke International Ocean Energy Company (‘I-Ke’), a subsidiary of marine engineering firm Lian Tat Company, for a 100 kW pilot wave energy project and energy conversion unit, which includes hydraulic, electric and automated control components. I-Ke will oversee the project’s local components, including the production of floaters, hydraulic cylinders and all other components of the technology, which are located on the seaside of the marine structure.

The pilot is said to be the first stage of a much bigger development, which builds on a 2023 memorandum of understanding. CY Huang, Chairman of Lian Tat, stated: ‘Taiwan is an island country with a coastline of 1,566 kilometres, with high potential for the installation of marine energy. The construction of Eco Wave Power’s project is relatively easy, and I believe that it will be a significant stepping stone for the development of green electricity in Taiwan. I also think that this will allow Taiwan to break away from existing renewable energy restrictions and develop in the direction of diversified renewable energy. As a result, we have already completed the site selection process and once the 100 kW demonstration site is built, with positive results, our target is to expand it to 20 MW, and we will continue to push up to more than 400 MW of wave energy installed capacity.’