The 750 kW Vagr Atferd is a P2 wave energy machine designed and constructed by Pelamis Wave Power.

Amaan Lafayette, E.ON’s Marine Development Manager, says: “This is the beginning of an exciting period in the development of marine energy. Vagr Atferd is capable of generating 750 kW of renewable energy and this period of testing will help us determine what we need to do to ensure that marine energy makes the transition from development to commercial deployment.”

The testing programme will increase in intensity every 12 months to examine the viability of the P2 wave energy convertor.

The wave energy device is 180 m long – or as long as the Gherkin building in London is tall – and weighs approximately 1300 tonnes.

The motion of the waves produces electricity by driving a set of hydraulic rams at the hinged joints, which link the cylindrical sections of the device.