Matthew helps launch new Pelamis machine

Robert Leslie 19/05/2010 12:18:00


A STROMNESS schoolboy has attended the launch of the next generation of Pelamis wave energy converters, after winning a competition to name it.

Matthew Rendall of Stromness Primary School chose the name Vagr Atferd (Norse for wave power).


Matthew and his family joined Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond at Leith, where Mr Salmond officially launched and named the first P2 device on Tuesday.

The machine, designed and constructed by Pelamis, is capable of generating 750kW of renewable energy and will be installed and tested at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney.

At the launch ceremony at Leith Port in Edinburgh, Dr Paul Golby, chief executive of E.ON UK, said: "We're delighted to be a part of such an innovative project. The event marks a milestone in marine technology and the next exciting step for renewable energy in the UK.

"It's essential that we continue to invest in new technologies, like the Vagr Atferd, to harness the power of nature and to accelerate our transition to a low carbon economy."

The installation of the Pelamis wave energy converter at EMEC will be the first time that the P2 machine has been tested anywhere in the world and also represents the UK's first commercial supply contract within the marine energy sector.

Mr Salmond said: "Scotland is well-placed to become the clean, green energy powerhouse of Europe, with as much as 10% of its wave power potential, as well as an estimated one quarter of the continent's offshore wind and tidal energy capacity."

"Today is another significant step in that journey. It is also testament to E.ON's strong global commitment to renewable energy generation and to the ambition and innovation of Pelamis in pioneering its internationally-renowned wave energy technology.

"I'm delighted that the completed P2 wave energy converter is now ready for deployment at the European Marine Energy Centre and pleased to officially name the device Vagr Atferd."