Marine Energy Deployment Fund

The Marine Energy Deployment Fund was set up in 2007 with the aim to bring forward the development of marine energy in New Zealand, by supporting the deployment of generating devices.

The fund provided grants to deploy devices in the New Zealand marine environment to provide information and practical experience.

Approximately $4 million of grants were allocated in four annual rounds between 2007 and 2011. Funding is subject to a number of conditions, such as the project receiving a Resource Consent.

Results of funding round one

The first grant of $1.85 million was awarded in 2008 to Crest Energy for a 3 MW tidal stream generator project at the entrance to Kaipara Harbour, north of Auckland. Find out more about Crest Energy.

This funding was withdrawn in 2011 as Crest Energy was unable to meet the deadlines associated with it.

This project is part of a larger 200 MW project, which received consents from the Environment Court and Minister of Conservation in March 2011. Read the media release from Awatea.

Results of funding round two

In funding round two, $760,000 was awarded to the WET-NZ project put forward by Power Projects Ltd and Industrial Research Ltd to deploy a half scale point absorber wave energy converter at Moa Point ,Wellington. Read the media release from EECA.

Results of funding round three

A proposal put forward by Chatham Islands Marine Energy Ltd (CHIME), to install a shore-based device to capture wave energy, has been awarded $2.16 million, subject to conditions, including receiving resource consent.

The project will see the construction of an oscillating water column to power two 110 kilowatt Wells turbines.  The device will be installed on the south-west coast of Chatham Island, and will supply electricity into the island's electricity network.  Read the media release.

Results of funding round four

In 2011, funding was awarded to three projects:

  • Wave Energy Technology New Zealand Ltd (WET-NZ) received $361,884 for the installation of a cable at WET-NZ's Moa Point Test Site on Wellington's south coast. The cable will later be available for use by other marine energy developers for further device testing.
  • Community Leisure Management Ltd (CLM): Parnell Baths Marine Energy received $203,000 for the installation and deployment of up to three turbines on the Tamaki Drive Road Bridge to harness the tidal flows in and out of Hobson Bay. The electricity generated by the turbines will be used to pump and re-circulate treated seawater in the nearby Parnell Baths. 
  • Tangaroa Energy Rakia Amps Ltd received $312,000 for the Tangaroa Energy/Langlee Wave Power Project - the manufacture of a 20kW wave energy device which will be installed and deployed in the eastern waters of Stewart Island.

Read the media release from EECA for more information.

All the available funds have been allocated and there will be no further funding rounds.

Any questions on the funding should be emailed to the Marine Energy Advisor.

More information

From the Resource Centre

Related information available: