Portugal Approves World's First 1MW Wave Energy Plant

Portugal's northern coast is about to make renewable energy history with the world's first megawatt-scale wave energy installation built into an existing breakwater.

Swedish developer Eco Wave Power recently submitted final construction plans for a one-megawatt station at Barra do Douro in Porto. The project passed detailed wave and structural assessments, confirming the ocean conditions are perfect for turning crashing waves into electricity.

The system will be installed inside a section of the breakwater called "The Gallery," embedding the energy equipment directly into existing coastal infrastructure. This clever design means no new ocean structures, less environmental disruption, and easier maintenance for workers.

Portugal's grid operator E-REDES has already accepted the connection conditions, and the company paid half the grid connection fee. The station is targeting a 2026 grid connection, pending final approvals from the Port Authority.

The technology works by capturing the up-and-down motion of waves with floating devices attached to the breakwater. As waves rise and fall, they compress and release hydraulic pistons that drive generators, creating clean electricity that flows directly into Portugal's power grid.

The Ripple Effect

This one-megawatt station represents just the beginning of Eco Wave Power's ambitious 20-megawatt agreement with Portugal's port authority. Success here could prove that wave energy works at commercial scale, opening the door for coastal communities worldwide to harvest power from their own shorelines.

Wave energy offers something wind and solar can't always deliver: predictability. Ocean waves are remarkably consistent compared to sunshine or wind, making them a reliable complement to other renewable sources.

Eco Wave Power has already demonstrated the technology works in real conditions. The company operates Israel's first grid-connected wave energy station and launched America's first onshore wave energy pilot at the Port of Los Angeles in partnership with Shell.

Portugal has positioned itself as a renewable energy leader in Europe, and this project adds ocean power to an already diverse clean energy portfolio. The country is betting that its 1,794 kilometers of Atlantic coastline represents an untapped energy resource.

Construction teams will begin site preparations once the Port Authority completes its final review of the execution plan submitted in early January. The company views Porto as a flagship demonstration that could reshape how coastal nations think about their infrastructure and energy future.

If successful, breakwaters around the world could transform from simple wave barriers into dual-purpose structures that protect harbors while generating carbon-free electricity for surrounding communities.