Carnegie and Chugachmiut Team Up to Unlock Alaska’s Wave Energy Potential
Carnegie Clean Energy has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Chugachmiut to explore deploying its CETO wave energy technology in Southcentral Alaska, aiming to provide clean, affordable power to Native communities.
- Memorandum of Understanding signed between Carnegie and Chugachmiut
- Focus on developing CETO wave energy projects in Alaska’s Chugach Region
- Potential to reduce reliance on costly fossil fuels in remote communities
- Exploration includes technical, commercial, and infrastructure assessments
- Initial agreement set for three years with no immediate financial commitments
A New Wave of Renewable Energy Collaboration
Carnegie Clean Energy (ASX: CCE), a leader in ocean wave energy technology, has formalised its partnership with Chugachmiut, an Alaska Native tribal consortium, through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to explore the deployment of CETO wave energy projects in the Chugach Region of Southcentral Alaska. This collaboration marks a significant step towards harnessing the vast renewable energy potential of Alaska’s offshore waters, which a recent US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management report estimates at 3,800 gigawatts of wind, wave, and tidal capacity.
Addressing Energy Challenges in Remote Alaska
The Chugach Region, home to seven Native tribes served by Chugachmiut, currently relies heavily on fossil fuels, particularly diesel generators, to meet electricity needs. This reliance results in high energy costs due to fuel transportation challenges. The introduction of wave energy technology offers a promising alternative that could provide clean, reliable, and locally sourced electricity, reducing both costs and environmental impact.Exploring Technical and Commercial Pathways
Under the MOU, Carnegie and Chugachmiut will jointly investigate the feasibility of deploying CETO technology, including wave buoy deployments, bathymetric surveys, infrastructure assessments, and stakeholder engagement. The partnership aims to identify viable commercial models and secure funding to advance the projects. Carnegie’s CEO Jonathan Fievez emphasised the company’s commitment to supporting renewable energy developers globally and expressed enthusiasm for working with Chugachmiut to meet local energy needs sustainably.A Strategic Fit for Both Partners
For Chugachmiut, the collaboration represents an opportunity to lower energy costs and enhance energy security for its communities through a clean and sustainable resource. Executive Director Angela Vanderpool highlighted the transformative potential of wave energy in the region. The three-year MOU, with provisions for extension, sets a framework for ongoing cooperation without immediate financial obligations, reflecting a cautious but optimistic approach to this pioneering initiative.As wave energy technology continues to mature, this partnership could serve as a blueprint for similar collaborations worldwide, particularly in remote and indigenous communities seeking to transition away from fossil fuels.
Bottom Line?
This MOU sets the stage for a potentially transformative wave energy project that could reshape energy access in remote Alaska and beyond.
Questions in the middle?
- What are the key technical challenges in deploying CETO technology in Alaska’s harsh marine environment?
- How will funding and regulatory approvals be secured to move beyond the exploratory phase?
- What timelines are anticipated for pilot projects or commercial-scale deployments?
