Barbados and Seabased join forces to build a wave power park

The Barbados Investment and Development Corporation (BIDC) and Swedish wave energy company Seabased Group have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to build a wave power park.

One of the main reasons for building this wave energy park is to support green hydrogen research and development in Barbados, as Barbados aims to lead the Caribbean in the transition to green hydrogen.

The memorandum of understanding signed on June 7, 2024 describes the establishment of a 2 MW pilot power park with plans to expand to 10 MW or more to support the BIDC green hydrogen installation.

“Barbados is taking a very proactive approach to finding innovative solutions that will drive the energy transition on islands like ours. We need to think not only about the land that Barbadians inhabit, but about the vast expanse of ocean surrounding Barbados, maximizing the potential for sustainable use of blue resources in our exclusive economic zone. To green our industrial activities at a national level, we need to think innovatively.” he said Mark HillCEO of BIDC.

“BIDC is prioritizing the delivery of sustainable baseload electricity at reduced costs to accelerate industrial green hydrogen research and development through scientific innovation in wave technology. Water and appropriate low-cost renewable energy are key inputs necessary for the production of green hydrogen and its derivatives.”

Like other Caribbean islands, Barbados relies heavily on imported fossil fuels. The island faces climate threats such as rising sea levels, frequent storms and hurricanes. According to Seabased, its economy is also vulnerable to geopolitical and logistical threats affecting fuel supplies and energy production.

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) can benefit from diversifying their energy sources. Barbados has demonstrated a commitment to transitioning away from fossil fuels towards ocean energy, Seabased said.

“Seabased and BIDC have identified an area where we believe we can source a significant amount of reliable, renewable and clean ocean energy without impeding any other industry – including tourism – that is so important to Barbados. Islands like Barbados are unique ports of beauty and biodiversity, and we want to help them meet their energy needs in a way that helps protect this unique ecosystem in their blue and green economies.” said Seabased CEO, Laurent Albert.

Danish company Wavepiston, together with BIDC, is also exploring the possibility of implementing wave energy farms offshore Barbados due to Barbados’ high demand for renewable energy sources.

In March 2023, Seabased signed a memorandum of understanding to build a 10 MW wave energy plant offshore in the Polynesian country and archipelagic state of Tonga. The plant is expected to meet half of Tonga’s energy needs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20%.