CorPower Welcomes Delegates as Portugal Looks to Advance Wave Energy Sector

Wave energy company CorPower Ocean welcomed a delegation from the Swedish-Portuguese Chamber of Commerce, led by H.E. Ambassador Johan Pehrson and representatives from Portuguese and Swedish industry, to its facilities in Viana do Castelo to discuss how wave energy can strengthen Portugal's energy security, industrial competitiveness and economic growth.

Hosted at CorPower Ocean's manufacturing and operations facilities, the visit highlighted the progress being made towards a commercial-scale wave energy industry in Portugal, with Viana do Castelo emerging as a key center for innovation, manufacturing and future project deployment.

The program included discussions on how Europe's growing demand for competitive clean energy to power industry and data centers will be best satisfied in places where the lowest cost 24/7 clean power mix can be found. Here wave energy can play a strategic role in Iberia by complementing solar and wind power to unlock some of the lowest cost of clean firm power supply in Europe.  

Portugal possesses one of Europe's largest wave energy resources and has the opportunity to develop an entirely new industrial sector built around the Atlantic Ocean. Unlike solar and wind, wave energy produces electricity day and night and typically remains available when solar generation declines and wind conditions fluctuate. This makes wave energy a valuable complement to existing renewable energy sources and supports a more resilient, stable and affordable energy system.

The development of a Portuguese wave energy industry can create long-term opportunities across manufacturing, engineering, ports, offshore operations, logistics, vessel services, digital technologies and energy infrastructure.

As energy demand accelerates from industrial electrification, green fuels and large-scale data centres, wave energy can help provide fully domestic renewable power while reducing dependence on imported energy and strengthening Portugal's energy sovereignty.

The planned 15 MW VianaWave project, incorporating 45 commercial scale Wave Energy Converters, is expected to begin construction in 2028.

 Portugal has played a central role in CorPower Ocean's journey from technology development to commercial readiness. Following successful demonstration of the first commercial scale machine in Portuguese waters and the establishment of manufacturing and testing capabilities in Viana do Castelo, the company is now focused on scaling towards utility-scale projects.

The next phase will see increasing investment in manufacturing capacity, supply chains, project deployment and local partnerships, creating opportunities for Portuguese companies throughout the value chain.