Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. (“OPT” or “the Company”) today announced that its wholly-owned Oregon subsidiary, Reedsport OPT Wave Park, LLC, has received approval from the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) for the full build-out of its planned 1.5 megawatt, grid-connected wave power station off Reedsport, Oregon.
This is the first FERC license for a wave power station issued in the United States and provides an important regulatory approval for the deployment of up to ten (10) OPT devices generating enough electricity for approximately 1,000 homes. Construction of the initial PowerBuoy® is nearing completion and it is expected to be ready for deployment about 2.5 miles off the Reedsport coast later this year. OPT has received funding for this first system from the U.S. Department of Energy, with the support of the Oregon Congressional delegation, and from PNGC Power, an Oregon-based electric power cooperative.
Specifically, FERC has granted a 35-year license for grid-connected, wave energy production. This follows an extensive process of environment assessment, notifications to the public, assessment of Federal and State regulations, and consideration of a broad array of comments, recommendations and terms and conditions.
Charles F. Dunleavy, Chief Executive Officer of OPT , stated, “The issuance of this license by FERC is an important milestone for the U.S. wave energy industry as well as for OPT. It represents the culmination of thorough due diligence and consideration of input from a broad array of groups interested in our Reedsport project. The 35-year term of the license demonstrates the commercial potential of wave power, and this will support initiatives to secure financing for the project. We appreciate the efforts of many who have assisted us during this licensing process, and who recognize its positive significance for the economy and environment of Oregon as well as its coastal communities.”
In August 2010, OPT announced that it had signed a groundbreaking Settlement Agreement (“SA”) with 11 federal and Oregon state agencies and three non-governmental stakeholders for its utility-scale wave power project at Reedsport. FERC gave strong consideration to the agreements set forth in the SA in determining key provisions of the license. The SA supports the responsible, phased development by OPT of a 1.5 megawatt wave energy station in a manner that protects ocean resources and stakeholder interests. It covers a broad array of resource areas including aquatic resources, water quality, recreation, public safety, crabbing and fishing, terrestrial resources, and cultural resources. The SA includes an innovative Adaptive Management Plan that will be used to identify and implement environmental studies that may be required, and to provide a blueprint for the application of this new information as the wave power station develops.
After the initial PowerBuoy is deployed, OPT plans to construct the balance of the wave power station, consisting of up to nine additional PowerBuoys and grid connection infrastructure, subject to receipt of additional funding and all necessary regulatory approvals.
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Offshore WIND staff, August 20, 2012; Image: opt