Oregon opens first large US wave energy test site after federal approval
Oregon's PacWave South, the first large wave energy test site in the continental US, is open after federal approval, but no devices have arrived yet.
The first large-scale wave energy testing facility in the continental United States is now operational off the Oregon coast, following a key federal approval from the Trump administration. The site, known as PacWave South, was developed by Oregon State University and is now connected to the local power grid.
The approval is notable given the administration's broader stance on clean energy, which has included slowing permitting, canceling grants, and spending billions to halt offshore wind projects. However, officials see potential in wave energy, which generates electricity from ocean waves without emitting carbon dioxide.
PacWave South is "pre-permitted," meaning developers can bring various wave energy converter designs—such as point absorbers, oscillating water columns, and attenuators—without needing individual permits. These devices use subsea cables to deliver power to shore.
Despite the facility being open, no wave energy devices have yet been installed, and the site has not generated electricity. Developers are facing delays in federal funding. The Department of Energy has invested nearly $150 million since 2016 in the facility's construction.
The site is the first grid-connected wave energy test facility in the continental US, though the Navy operates one in Hawaii. Federal estimates suggest wave energy could meet about 57% of US electrical needs, though only a fraction is likely to be captured.
The Energy Department also highlights potential national security applications, such as powering remote sensors and autonomous underwater vehicles, contrasting with its stance on offshore wind, which it has labeled a security risk.