9:20am Wednesday 2nd May 2007
A Pembrokeshire project that promises to become the world's biggest wave energy development has made a significant step forward.
Wave Dragon Wales has applied to the secretary of state for trade and industry to place a trial unit between Gateholm Bay and St Anne's Head.
The unit, which channels sea water through turbines to create electricity, is the next stage in a project expected to generate enough power for up to 3,000 homes.
Wave Dragon chairman Hans Christian Sorenson said: "Today wave energy developer Wave Dragon has taken the first major step to deploy the world's largest wave energy converter by submitting the environmental impact statement.
"This follows almost two years of environmental impact assessment consultations, studies and surveys.
"This is an important milestone in the commercialisation of wave energy in general and wave dragon technology in particular. Wave Dragon is, through this application, taking the first step in establishing a 70MW wave power plant in the Irish Sea by 2010."
A public notice in national newspapers on Friday stated this single device was a "demonstration phase development, designed to prove the technology". It would have a capacity of seven megawatts which would be "fed in to the Welsh supply system subject to available grid capacity".
The Department for Trade and Industry and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs will now consider the proposals and contact consultees, discussing any issues before a decision is made.
Wave Dragon will work with The Crown Estates and Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority on lease issues and planning permission.
Construction is due to begin in January 2008 with deployment and grid connection that summer.
Copies of the application can be viewed at the national park authority offices in Pembroke Dock or at Haverfordwest and Milford Haven libraries.
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