The first large-scale testing site for wave energy technologies in the continental United States is now operational off the coast of Oregon. PacWave South, developed by Oregon State University, has secured federal approval and connected to the local grid, marking a significant step for the nascent industry.
The facility aims to advance technologies that generate electricity from ocean waves, a carbon-free energy source that federal estimates suggest could power a substantial portion of U.S. electricity needs. Companies will be able to test their wave energy converters at the pre-permitted site without needing to acquire individual permits for each device, a process that has historically hindered marine energy development.
While the site has opened, it has yet to generate electricity as no wave energy devices have arrived, with developers facing delays in securing federal funding. The U.S. Department of Energy has invested nearly $150 million since 2016 in the facility's siting and construction costs.
Federal approval for the site came through last summer, following a review required after the Trump administration returned to office in 2025, according to PacWave Director Dan Hellin. The Energy Department sees potential in wave energy, noting that technologies converting wave energy to electricity could provide power for national security applications, such as remote sensors and equipment for military bases. This contrasts with the administration's stance on offshore wind energy, which it has characterized as a national security risk.
PacWave South is not the nation's only grid-connected wave energy test site; the U.S. Navy operates one in Hawaii. However, it is the first in the continental U.S. and is designed to streamline the testing and permitting process for various types of wave energy converters, including point absorbers, oscillating water columns, and attenuators. These devices convert wave motion into electricity, which is then transmitted to shore via subsea cables.