The Wave Hub project has been developed by the South West RDA (Regional Development Agency) and will create the world's largest test site for wave energy technology and consists of a grid-connected socket in the seabed, 16 kilometres off the coast of Cornwall. The site will allow Wave Energy Converter (WEC) developers the opportunity to test WEC arrays over several years in a fully monitored marine environment, and export their generated electricity to the local grid.

The chartered cable laying vessel, MV Nordica, has transited to JDR Cables in Hartlepool where the cable was manufactured. It is here that the cable will be loaded onto the vessel in an operation which involves spooling the tensioned cable directly from the JDR factory onto a 2000 tonne capacity carousel. The Wave Hub has been connected to the cable and was loaded onto the vessel first, followed by the 1,300 tonnes of cable.

Following this procedure, which should take approximately 4 days, the Noridca will transit to north Cornwall where the offshore operations will commence. The beach pull will take place first, followed by the cable lay, deployment of the hub itself and burial of part of the cable route. It is expected that the CTC workscope will be completed in August.

Daryl Lynch, Managing Director of CTC Marine Projects, says of this prestigious project: "CTC recognises the importance of renewable energy to the UK and believes the Wave Hub project is a significant milestone and opens up another avenue in the renewable market.

"CTC is pleased to be participating in what we hope will be the start of many such developments. We believe we can bring a significant contribution and become a major provider to this emerging business."