IWES (INGINE Wave Energy Systems Ltd.) and it's consortium finalized the location for a wave energy power plant in Tatar village, Sumbawa Island, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, under the ECR10 (Energy Catalyst Round 10) project last September. The consortium, consisting of IWES, INGINE Inc., PT PLN Indonesia Power, and the University of the Highlands and Islands, was selected as the winner of the ECR10 in December 2023, with the title "An Open-Water Demonstration of the INWave Wave Energy Converter Power Plant." Although there was a delay in finalizing the project site, the consortium received a grant offer letter from Innovate UK, the host organization of the ECR10, on September 25, providing £720,000 out of the total project budget of £1 million. This marks the official launch of the ECR10 project, which aims to complete a commercial-scale wave energy power plant by March 2026.

< Grant Offer Letter from Innovate UK>

The Energy Catalyst program, hosted by Innovate UK, is a UK government-supported initiative aimed at promoting the development of affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy solutions. The program offers funding in multiple rounds, each tailored to support different stages of project development, from early feasibility to prototype demonstration. It provides financial support and technical guidance for projects focused on improving energy access, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia. The consortium of IWES and INGINE was selected for the Energy Catalyst program's Round 9 and Round 10, for the early stage and mid-stage, respectively.

Tatar village, the project site on Sumbawa Island, is a remote coastal community with around 1,800 residents. Limited infrastructure and an unstable power supply have hindered local industrial growth. Currently, electricity is supplied from a fossil-fuel-based power plant located over 100 km away and delivered through a 20 kV distribution line that crosses tropical forests. This setup often leads to frequent accidents and maintenance issues, resulting in power outages at least three times a week.

< The planned installation site for 'INWAVE' on Tatar Beach, Sumbawa Island, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia >

"Initially, Vietnam, was considered as the ECR10 project location; however, due to internal circumstances within the local government that made prompt progress difficult, Punak Beach on Sumbawa Island in West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, was ultimately selected as the final location. This site was designated as the project location in the ECR9 preliminary feasibility study completed in February 2024."

Thanks to INGINE’s strong partnership with PT PLN Indonesia Power, the project location change was promptly approved by Innovate UK. PT PLN Indonesia Power is a subsidiary of PLN, Indonesia's state-owned electricity company, primarily responsible for the operation, maintenance, and construction of power plants across Indonesia and recently it has focused on transitioning towards renewable energy and eco-friendly power generation. They will support the project by assisting with permits, land acquisition, and technical support to ensure its successful execution.

Punak Beach, the selected location for the project, offers ideal conditions for the installation of INWave wave energy system, with potential wave energy reaching up to 19kW per meter. INGINE is preparing to install a 125kW wave power plant in this area, aiming to demonstrate the commercial and environmental viability of wave energy technology, leveraging the strong local wave conditions.

Recently, the Indonesian government announced an ambitious plan to raise its renewable energy target from 34% to 44% by 2030 and achieve net-zero carbon emissions in the power sector by 2050. With this strong government commitment to energy transition, INGINE representatives anticipate that the success of this wave energy project, targeted for completion in 2026, could pave the way for further expansion throughout Indonesia and into neighboring countries.

Daniel Yong-Jun Sung, founder and CEO of INGINE Inc. commented, “This project will be a key case for contributing to the EU's marine energy goals of 1GW of installaed capacity by 2030 and 40GW by 2050. It will also serve as an important catalyst for PT PLN Indonesia Power’s efforts to bring wave energy to Indonesia."