Ansan-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea – June 21, 2023: Aerial and panoramic view of Sihwanarae Rest Area with Tidal Power Plant and Embankment on the sea and Sihwa Lake

Norwegian company Ocean Oasis is set to use wave power to turn seawater into freshwater, helping address water scarcity issues on the Canary Islands.

Situated off the west coast of Africa, the islands in the archipelago face serious water shortage problems, putting pressure on already depleted resources. As such, business and communities on the island have become more dependent on sea water desalination for freshwater. This new project will produce zero-emission wave-powered freshwater, thus increasing local water production, without increasing energy, CO2 emissions or brine discharge

The consortium’s DESALIFE (Desalination for Environmental Sustainability And LIFE) project will test and validate Ocean Oasis’ wave-powered solution providing desalinated water from floating buoys in deep water off the coast of Gran Canaria.

These buoys produce freshwater using membrane-based desalination technology, powered directly by wave-induced motion, with no need for grid power, any emissions to the atmosphere and without chemicals on board. The technology has been developed for sustainable use of the oceans drawing on 50 years of experience and knowledge development in the Norwegian offshore industry.

The consortium aims to have the first pre-commercial buoys producing fresh water by mid-2026.

Kristine Bangstad Fredriksen, CEO and Co-Founder of Ocean Oasis, said: “At Ocean Oasis we believe that by harnessing the power of renewable energy, such as wave power, we have the potential to create a future where clean water is accessible and abundant, not scarce. This first-of a-kind project will demonstrate our solution for the Canary Islands, and the potential to deliver fresh water to other coastal areas and island nations facing water scarcity.”

The north coast of Gran Canaria was chosen for its wave potential, operating conditions and proximity to existing onshore desalination facilities.