Wave Hub has appointed Black & Veatch to undertake a feasibility study into the Pembrokeshire wave energy demonstration zone.
The study will prepare an outline design specification for the on and offshore grid infrastructure for the Pembrokeshire Demonstration Zone, a planned offshore site for testing multiple wave energy arrays of up to 30MW each.
Black & Veatch will start the consent process by completing the Environmental Impact Assessment scoping exercise, assess how commercially viable the site is, and undertake a socio-economic study including analysis of the likely local supply chain benefits.
Claire Gibson , Managing Director of Wave Hub, the owner of seabed lease for the zone, said: “Throughout the study we will be engaging with industry and local stakeholders to ensure our plans are fit for purpose and take into account any local concerns.”
The feasibility study is expected to take 9 months, with completion scheduled for the end of January 2018, according to Wave Hub.
Black & Veatch will lead the project from its Swansea office, with the support from Morlais Energy and Royal HaskoningDHV.
The zone comprises a 90 sq km area of seabed, located 13-21 kms offshore, with water depths of approximately 50 meters and a wave resource of 19 kW/m, according to Wave Hub.
This study is being supported by funding from the Welsh Government, including the European Regional Development Fund for West Wales and the Valleys which has allocated €100 million to develop marine energy in Wales and increase the number of wave and tidal energy devices being tested in Welsh waters.
The Pembrokeshire Demonstration Zone forms part of the Pembroke Dock Marine project to develop a center for marine energy development, fabrication, testing and deployment in Pembrokeshire.
It is one of 11 projects included in the Swansea Bay City Deal that was signed by the Prime Minister and Welsh First Minister on in March this year.