How Carnegie Plans to Power the Basque Coast with 6MW of Wave Energy
Carnegie Clean Energy has signed a pivotal Memorandum of Understanding with BiMEP to develop a 6MW wave energy array in Spain’s Basque Country, marking a significant step in commercialising its CETO technology.
- Signed MOU with Biscay Marine Energy Platform for 6MW CETO array
- Project builds on 1MW ACHIEVE CETO prototype deployment
- Leverages Basque Country’s wave resources and infrastructure
- Early development to focus on design, grid connection, and funding
- MOU spans five years with mutual cost-bearing
A Strategic Partnership for Wave Energy
Carnegie Clean Energy (ASX, CCE) has taken a decisive step forward in the commercialisation of its wave energy technology by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Biscay Marine Energy Platform (BiMEP) in the Basque Country, Spain. This agreement sets the stage for the development of a 6MW CETO wave energy array, comprising six 1MW commercial-scale units connected to the grid via BiMEP’s existing offshore infrastructure.
The Basque Country, known for its robust wave energy potential and supportive renewable energy ecosystem, provides an ideal environment for Carnegie’s next phase of growth. The region’s well-established marine energy test facilities, local supply chain capabilities, and government backing create a fertile ground for scaling up wave energy solutions.
Building on the ACHIEVE Programme Momentum
This new array project follows the imminent deployment of a single 1MW CETO unit under the ACHIEVE Programme, a collaborative initiative supported by European and Spanish government funding. The data and operational experience gained from this prototype will inform the design and optimisation of the larger array, helping to validate CETO’s commercial viability at scale.
Carnegie’s CEO Jonathan Fiévez highlighted the significance of the partnership, emphasizing the shared vision with BiMEP and local stakeholders to advance ocean energy solutions. The MOU enables Carnegie to leverage existing knowledge, facilities, and supply chains developed through the ACHIEVE Programme, accelerating the pathway from prototype to commercial array.
Early Development and Future Prospects
Under the MOU, Carnegie will initiate early project development activities including detailed array design, grid connection planning, funding strategies, and partnership formation. While the agreement is non-binding and each party will bear its own costs, it provides a clear framework for collaboration over the next five years, with potential for extension.
BiMEP Technical Director Yago Torre-Enciso noted the platform’s capacity to support small wave energy arrays and expressed enthusiasm for expanding beyond single-unit deployments. This aligns with broader European ambitions under initiatives like EuropeWave and the European Green Deal to scale marine renewable energy towards gigawatt-level targets by 2030.
Positioning for a Sustainable Energy Future
Carnegie’s move into multi-megawatt wave energy arrays in the Basque Country underscores the growing momentum behind ocean energy as a clean, reliable power source. The project not only advances Carnegie’s commercialisation pathway but also contributes to regional and European goals for decarbonisation and energy security.
As the company progresses from prototype testing to array development, investors and industry watchers will be keen to see how Carnegie navigates the technical, financial, and regulatory challenges ahead. Success here could position the Basque Country as a global hub for wave energy innovation.
Bottom Line?
Carnegie’s Basque Country partnership marks a crucial step towards proving wave energy’s commercial scale potential.
Questions in the middle?
- What are the projected timelines and capital requirements for the 6MW array’s construction and operation?
- How will Carnegie secure funding and partnerships to transition from development to full commercial deployment?
- What performance benchmarks from the ACHIEVE prototype will determine the viability of scaling to a multi-megawatt array?
