Wave Energy: Makah Bay

Location
Makah Bay, Washington State, United States.
Site Description
The offshore project will be located in the Pacific Ocean in Makah Bay, Clallam County, near the city of Neah Bay, Washington. The land portion part of the project is the property of the Makah Indian Nation. The aquatic portion of the project is within Washington State waters, the federal Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, and the Washington State Flattery Rocks National Wildlife Refuge.
Permit Status
Finavera Renewables filed an application to construct the offshore power plant with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in November 2006. An environmental document, known as a PDEA, was completed in October 2006 and includes environmental, oceanographic and biological studies conducted in Makah Bay. The PDEA concludes with a finding of no significant environmental effects from the technology on the human environment. To view the PDEA, click here.
Potential Facility Size
The Makah Bay project is planned as a 1 MW demonstration plant. It is expected to generate 1500 MWh/year, which is enough energy to supply about 150 homes in Neah Bay each year.
Project Overview
This wave energy pilot project in Northwest Washington State is one of the most advanced wave energy power projects in the United States. It is the first project to receive a power purchase agreement from a Public Utility, and it is in the final stage of Federal Energy Regulatory Commission licensing. The location was chosen for several reasons: depth proximity to shore, very good wave climate, shoreline transmission line, electricity demand in coastal communities, a participating publicly supported utility, and an interested landowner - the Makah Indian Nation.