The island nation of Barbados, vulnerable to the whims of the Atlantic, has officially signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Danish firm Wavepiston to turn the ocean's waves into a 50MW power source, it has been revealed.
The agreement was finalised with the government agency Export Barbados (BIDC), marking a strategic milestone in the effort to launch commercial wave energy across the Caribbean.
It follows a rigorous six-month study nicknamed 'Project WEB' (Wave Energy in Barbados).
COHSI-WEC Scale model. Image: Wavepiston.
Reportedly, researchers spent 2024 mapping the island’s Atlantic coastline to see if the sea could actually sustain a huge “wave energy farm”. The answer was a 'yes'.
“This marks an important step forward in our journey towards commercial deployment in the Caribbean and positioning Barbados as the regional light-house of wave energy,” Wavepiston said in a press statement.
“Together with Export Barbados (BIDC), we look forward to consolidating this partnership and advancing the country’s net zero aspirations,” it added.
Technical validation
For a Small Island Developing State (SIDS) like Barbados, energy independence is a necessity. The nation aims for net-zero emissions by 2030.
Standard renewables like solar and wind face challenges due to their intermittency and the massive land area required on a small island.
The partnership is shifting from theoretical research to the project development phase, with a focus on delivering a 50MW commercial pilot.
A unique highlight of this transition is the integration of dual-output technology, in which the system’s hydraulic pressure simultaneously powers renewable electricity and desalination systems to address Barbados’ water scarcity.
With this operational groundwork in place, the teams are preparing to launch tangible, on-site construction and installation in the immediate term. If all goes as planned, then the system will officially turn the Atlantic’s kinetic energy into a stable national resource.
Standard wave converters often break when the ocean gets angry.
To ensure the technology can withstand the unpredictable Atlantic, Wavepiston conducted extensive 1:30 scale experiments at Queen’s University Belfast as part of the COHSI-WEC project.
Data-driven approach
Through simulating wave conditions in a controlled tank, the team successfully validated their numerical models and gained insights into the upgraded system.
These tests proved that the 'flexible sail' design can passively neutralise the destructive force of giant waves, ensuring the full-scale Caribbean installation remains durable and efficient for years to come.
The system prevents structural damage without requiring complex active controls. This performance was verified through high-precision data collection, including force gauges, motion trackers, and multi-angle video.
Beyond clean energy, this partnership is a catalyst for regional economic transformation.
The project aims to establish Barbados as a 'lighthouse' hub.
Central to this vision is a focus on people: the initiative will prioritise upskilling local labour and creating employment for youth.
Ultimately, this collaboration builds a foundation for long-term energy resilience, reducing the region’s reliance on expensive fuel imports and providing a scalable model for island security in a changing climate.
“By developing local capabilities alongside infrastructure, we aim to ensure that wave energy delivers lasting economic and social value, not just clean power. We are excited about what lies ahead and continue to execute on our promise to bring wave energy to the world,” the statement noted.