Bombora has completed a metocean survey off the northern coastline of the Spanish Canary Island of Lanzarote, an important milestone in the island’s clean energy ambitions and progression of a 3.0MW wave park project. Data collected provides the crucial physical and environmental characteristics at the site to progress to the design and development phase. Bombora, together with strategic partner Enzen Spain, is part of a consortium responding to the decarbonisation strategy of the Cabildo de Lanzarote, the Spanish Canary Island’s governing body.
The Cabildo de Lanzarote is committed to reducing the island’s dependence on diesel-fuelled electricity generation whilst achieving minimal visual impact when adopting renewable energy sources.
Enzen Spain signed a four years collaboration agreement with the Cabildo of Lanzarote in 2018 and since then has worked together with the “Cabildo to meet and exceed the renewable energy penetration in the islands by promoting offshore renewable projects.”
Bombora’s patented mWave™ product, which sits invisibly beneath the ocean surface harnessing the power of waves passing above. Is an obvious technology partner to deliver this vision with its environmentally sensitive, grid connected wave energy project. The seabed at the site is ideal for mWave where the flat, rocky plateau provides an excellent foundation for the wave energy converter.
The first phase of the project will see 3.0MW of generating capacity installed in 2022.The project is currently progressing through the planning and consent stage.
Data was collected on the wave climate from the Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) recovered from the seabed following a 3-month monitoring period. Data from the survey will be assessed as part of a wave energy prediction to confirm the suitability of the site and calculate the annual energy production from mWave.
Following the successful survey campaign Bombora’s Project Manager, Rory van Weerdenburg said:
“mWave provides an optimum solution to help Lanzarote and other Islands in the Canaries decarbonise its electricity supply as well as create a new industry for the
local economy. I have met with a number of local suppliers and contractors who are keen to help support this innovative shift in the energy mix in the Archipelago”
Enzen Spain’s CEO Harish Gopal added:
“The Bombora solution is ideal as it meets two fundamental goals of the project to deliver power from sustainable, renewable sources and have minimal visual impact. Bringing new innovations to reality is a core part of Enzen’s DNA in delivering outcomes for our customers”
Bombora contracted local specialist company ECOS Canarias to complete the survey work. This was done using local vessels and personnel who gained knowledge and experience from the contract.