Highlights

  • Fabrication of the CETO Buoyant Actuator, the prime mover of the CETO system, has been completed.
  • Stage 1 deployment at the Biscay Marine Energy Platform is planned for November 2026.
  • Full system deployment and grid connection is scheduled for Spring 2027.
  • The programme aims to validate energy capture, control systems, survivability and maintenance approaches.

Carnegie Clean Energy Limited (ASX:CCE) has provided an update on the deployment of its ACHIEVE CETO wave energy demonstrator in Spain's Basque Country. The update covers the completion of key fabrication work, the deployment timeline and the objectives of the programme.

Buoyant Actuator Fabrication Completed

Fabrication of the CETO Buoyant Actuator (BA), the prime mover of the CETO system, has been completed locally in the Basque Country. The BA uses a modular design to simplify road transport and is being prepared for transport to the Port of Bilbao, where its three sections will be reassembled on the quayside. Carnegie stated, "The CETO BA, the prime mover of the CETO system, is now being prepared for transport to the port."

Once assembled, the BA will be lifted into the water and towed to Carnegie's berth at the Biscay Marine Energy Platform (BiMEP). Physical fit tests confirmed that the three power take-off (PTO) modules and the electrical module can be inserted into and removed from the BA. PTO assembly is progressing at SKF, with onshore testing to follow.

Deployment Timeline

Stage 1, planned for November 2026, involves installing an initial mooring system and deploying the BA at BiMEP. This stage will validate hydrostatic characteristics, towing performance and the local offshore supply chain. Stage 2, covering full CETO system deployment and grid connection, is scheduled for Spring 2027 to take advantage of more favourable weather after the Basque winter.

The company noted the project is behind its original schedule, citing first-of-a-kind manufacturing issues, supply chain delays and additional time spent on engineering validation and integration. Further updates are expected in November.

Programme Objectives and Market Context

The ACHIEVE programme aims to validate CETO's modular architecture, lower lifecycle costs and fully submerged operation, which the company says can improve safety and reduce visual impact. It will also assess energy capture, with modelling suggesting capacity factors of 30% to 50% at suitable sites, and evaluate control algorithms, including AI and machine learning work developed with Hewlett Packard Enterprise.

Other objectives include testing the system's ability to adjust its position during adverse weather and assessing maintenance within existing port infrastructure. The 80 kW demonstrator is supported by the EuropeWave programme and Spanish and Basque government funding. The European Union targets at least 1 GW of ocean energy by 2030 and 40 GW by 2050, and Europe is Carnegie's primary target market.

Key Takeaways

  • Completion of the Buoyant Actuator marks a key step toward deploying the ACHIEVE demonstrator.
  • Stage 1 deployment is planned for November 2026, with full grid connection in Spring 2027.
  • The project is behind its original schedule due to first-of-a-kind manufacturing and supply chain issues.
  • The programme will gather data on energy capture, control systems and operating costs.