Pacific Northwest Generating Cooperative has agreed to work with Ocean Power Technologies Inc. to develop the 50-MW Reedsport OPT Wave Park in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Oregon.
OPT plans to develop, own, and operate the wave power park. It currently is studying the site under a preliminary permit (No. 12713) granted by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. (HNN 2/15/07)
Pacific Northwest Generating Cooperative (PNGC Power) agreed to provide �a significant portion of the funds� required to manufacture and install the first OPT PowerBuoy at the site. OPT said it expects to install its ocean-tested PowerBuoy systems, initially generating 2 MW, at a site about 2.5 miles off the coast, at a depth of 50 meters.
An agreement between the parties announced Feb. 22 provides a framework under which OPT and PNGC Power could continue to work together on the phased scale-up to a 50-MW wave power park. PNGC Power will hold an option to participate in ownership or power purchases in future commercial phases of the project.
The Portland-based electric cooperative also plans to work with other utilities to increase participation in the project. PNGC is owned by 15 distribution cooperatives with service territories in seven western states.
