Sea-wave power plants for China

Israeli energy company SDE has signed an agreement to sell sea-wave power plants throughout China, with construction being financed by investors from Hong Kong and China.

An initial model will be built in Guangzhou province and, if proved successful, a number of sea-wave power plants will be established throughout China. The process is subject to the approval of the government of China, which will enter into an agreement to purchase the entire quantity of electricity generated.

The technology of generating power from sea waves is becoming increasingly attractive as fuel prices soar and demand for cleaner energy grows. The method is considered to offer the advantages of high utility, lack of environmental pollution and a relatively low cost for construction and generation of electricity.

Electricity shortages in China are worsening and current sources of energy are problematic: burning fossil fuels increases the country's already intolerable levels of air and environmental pollution; nuclear power plants and hydroelectric stations are highly susceptible to earthquake damage; the country is hit by typhoons every year, making wind farm construction extremely difficult; and solar systems are not cost effective. Sea-wave power plants, on the other hand, have the potential to supply four times more energy per square metre than wind farms.