The Port of Milford Haven in Wales has signed a memorandum of understanding with an Australian wave energy developer.
The MoU, signed by Port of Milford Haven chief executive Andy Jones and Bombora managing director Sam Leighton, will target economic opportunities presented by marine renewable energy within the Swansea Bay City Region and further afield.
Bombora, which is developing a 1.5MW wave energy converter demonstration device, opened an office in Pembroke Dock in 2017.
Bombora’s mWave device sits below the surface of the water where wave pressure causes its flexible rubber membrane to inflate and deflate pumping air through a turbine to generate electricity.
Jones said: “There is huge potential for this growing industry here in Pembrokeshire and our base at Pembroke Port is becoming a key site for companies such as Bombora to fabricate and assemble large scale devices for deployment at sea.
“It’s not just the Port that is benefiting though; the local supply chain has already succeeded in securing contracts with Bombora and plenty more opportunities will become available as the sector grows”.
Leighton added, “Since setting up our operational headquarters in Pembroke Dock we have received unprecedented support from the local industry and community. The facilities at Pembroke Port offer us every opportunity to fabricate, assemble, launch, test and maintain our first utility-scale mWave here in Pembrokeshire.
“This agreement reaffirms our long term commitment to establish Pembrokeshire as a leading centre of excellence for marine renewables.”