Background

This Project is intended to help a New Zealand community paying a high price for electricity generated from diesel, whilst sitting in the middle of the Roaring 40s in the Southern Ocean, arguably the most energy intensive marine environment on the planet.

The Chatham Island Wave Power Project will utilise Wells Turbine technology with a shoreline “Collector” designed by Ocel Consultants NZ Ltd from Christchurch New Zealand.  Electrical design will be provided by Teampower Limited from Auckland.

The wave energy in the Chathams Region exceeds 100 kW/m, with nearshore levels exceeding 45 kW/m.  By world standards this is extremely high.

Wave powered electricity generation has a remarkably small environmental footprint - in this situation a plant will occupy no more than 25m width across the shoreline.