Australian wave energy developer Carnegie Clean Energy has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Biscay Marine Energy Platform (BiMEP) to develop a 6 MW wave energy array in Spain’s Basque Country. The project will deploy six 1 MW commercial-scale CETO units, connected to the grid via BiMEP’s offshore infrastructure, marking a significant step in Carnegie’s commercialization efforts.

Carnegie CEO Jonathan Fiévez (right) and BiMEP Technical Director Yago Torre-Enciso (left).

The initiative builds on Carnegie’s ACHIEVE program, which includes plans to test a single CETO unit at the same site. The company is advancing project development through design work, grid connection studies, funding strategies, and partnership arrangements. The collaboration leverages BiMEP’s facilities to support the transition from single-unit testing to a multi-unit array.

“Working alongside BiMEP, the Basque Energy Cluster, and our local partners through the ACHIEVE Programme has shown us that the Basque Country shares our enthusiasm for ocean energy solutions. This makes it an ideal location for advancing CETO’s commercialization,” said Carnegie CEO Jonathan Fiévez. “The agreement with BiMEP provides a clear pathway to explore a multi-megawatt CETO array, a key milestone in demonstrating its commercial potential.”

BiMEP’s infrastructure, with a 20 MW capacity, supports the development of small-scale arrays to advance marine energy. “Our goal is to provide testing facilities that accelerate the path to commercial marine energy,” said BiMEP’s Technical Director Yago Torre-Enciso. “We look forward to collaborating with Carnegie to expand from a single CETO unit to a 6 MW array in the Basque Country.”

The MOU, effective for five years, outlines that each party will cover its own costs unless otherwise agreed. Carnegie plans to deploy a CETO prototype at BiMEP, followed by a two-year operational period to gather performance data and validate the technology. CETO is a submerged, point absorber-type device that generates electricity by capturing the orbital motion of ocean waves through a buoy positioned just below the surface.

To support its European expansion, Carnegie recently engaged German investment firm DGWA as its advisor for financial markets and investor relations. Additionally, in May, Carnegie partnered with SKF, a rotating equipment supplier, to further the commercialization of CETO technology.

This project underscores Carnegie’s commitment to delivering reliable, clean wave energy solutions. By leveraging BiMEP’s infrastructure and local partnerships, the Basque Country serves as a strategic hub for scaling up this innovative technology, contributing to the growth of the global marine energy sector.