Wave energy has never quite taken off in a big way: two plants in Portugal and Scotland are about to change that

CorPower Ocean’s C4 wave-energy device off Portugal has received its first prototype certification from Det Norske Veritas.

The certification followed testing in severe storms, a key step for proving the technology can survive harsh offshore conditions.

The company is now preparing commercial wave parks in Portugal and Scotland, with possible operations from 2027 to 2029.

The approval covers a prototype, not mass production, but it could help unlock financing and push wave power toward grid-scale use.