Construction continues for French full-scale wave energy demonstrator

April 6, 2026, by Melisa Cavcic

Wave-Op, a joint venture between the Legendre Group and Geps Techno dedicated to innovation in coastal and port infrastructure, is progressing the construction of its first full-scale demonstrator for what it describes as a unique wave-powered system, combining coastal protection and renewable electricity generation in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France. The company expects to step up the port infrastructure decarbonization game with this project.

Wave-Op is working on the Dike Wave Energy (Dikwe) project in the port of Boulogne-sur-Mer; Source: Fimetal

The approval for the construction of the Dike Wave Energy (Dikwe) project’s full-scale demonstrator in the municipalities of Boulogne-sur-Mer and Le Portel came in March 2025. With the support of the Hauts-de-France Region and ADEME, it is expected to serve as a basis for experimentation and in-depth research on wave energy technologies, environmental monitoring, and the development of new industrial applications.

Wave-Op explains that it aims to develop solutions that protect coastlines while harnessing wave energy, ensuring the deployment of the Dikwe technology on port breakwaters and paving the way for new applications. This solution should help port areas and their infrastructures to accelerate their energy transition, since with Dikwe, a seawall no longer serves only to protect the coastline, as it can also be used to convert wave energy into electricity.

According to the company, the principle resides in a system of oscillating panels, also known as flaps, activated by waves and enabling wave power to be converted into carbon-free electricity. Led by Geps Techno and Ifremer, and supported by ADEME, this project is part of a strong ambition to offer innovative, sustainable coastal infrastructures that produce green energy.

The firm claims that the Dikwe project in Boulogne-sur-Mer demonstrates there is much more than a technical feat behind a demonstrator at sea, as this solution is not “a straight line,” but “a succession of iterations, adaptations and learning.”

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While a device in real conditions and a step towards commercialization are visible, many other aspects cannot be seen, such as constantly changing maritime constraints, variable wave conditions to be integrated, technical trade-offs at every stage, and the continuous validation and analysis work.

Wave-Op underlines that the next steps in Boulogne-sur-Mer will be the launch of the demonstrator, followed by the real-world operating data acquisition and data processing to validate performance. The firm sees this as an important step to prepare for future developments.

“The energy of the waves is thus gradually built as close as possible to the terrain and to the real uses,” emphasized the company.

Work continues on demonstrator for Dikwe project in Boulogne-sur-Mer

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The French player elaborates that the equipment designed and built by Fimetal demonstrates the value of engineering adapted to the constraints of maritime works in the port of Boulogne-sur-Mer, as the latter’s expertise in designing and manufacturing custom metal tools is perceived to help secure and optimize on-site operations.

This site is currently hosting the installation of the first demonstrator of the Dikwe wave energy technology with the help of IngéMARINE Consulting, according to a Wave-Op concept which captures the power of waves and transforms it into carbon-free electricity.

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Fimetal underlines that it was hired by IngéMARINE Consulting on behalf of Legendre to design and manufacture the required scope at its sister company Boussin, with the work set to resume in “fine weather” as winter is now over.