Scottish wave energy firm to launch demo projects in Taiwan and Guam

January 28, 2026, by Nadja Skopljak

Scotland-based marine energy company ZOEX Power has secured the first-ever sale of its wave energy prototype device, after completing real-world sea trials on the Turkish Black Sea coast.

The purchase order was secured from a fully owned subsidiary of Türkiye’s Ordu municipality, named Oren Ordu Enerji A.S., following long-term sea trials at Belde Park.

The municipality had invested a six-figure sum to build a new test platform and control room for hosting the ZOEX, and will now convert the Belde Park test site into a microgrid.

According to ZOEX, the prototype set a sector benchmark by generating meaningful energy from sea-states as low as 50 cm thanks to its patented hinge mechanism. It also withstood storms up to three meters, matching its design limits, and boosting robustness to handle eight-meter storms is declared feasible.

“Storm protection measures will add to the cost, that’s why our strategy is ‘start from easy’ such as Black Sea where the storms wave heights do not exceed 3-meters. But there is a catch, your device needs to be producing energy at small sea-states which we managed to prove during these sea trials,” said Ash Penley, Founder and CEO of ZOEX.

ZOEX started the sea trials in July 2025 and collected data continuously for four months, observing the device’s performance in a variety of sea-states. Applied Renewables Research Ltd (UK) provided technical and numerical modelling services and performed the Power Performance Assessment analysis to established international standards (IEC TC114 62600-100).

In addition, the Scottish company signed a development agreement with EcoStrategy Ltd. to launch demonstration projects in Taiwan and Guam, with a project pipeline targeting 100 MW within three years.

“Prototypes are usually developed for demonstration purposes only, so to secure our first sale of the prototype device, after completing successful real-world sea trials, is a true breakthrough. This, combined with our new strategic partnership with EcoStrategy targeting the Asia Pacific market, is a watershed moment for wave energy solutions worldwide,” said Penley.

ZOEX’s link-arm system is designed to attach to existing marine infrastructure and features impact-resistant floats, a lifted-up and/or submerged survival mode, and no mechanical end stops for durability in harsh environments, the company explains.

“We are delighted to be working with ZOEX as its exclusive regional partner across China and the Asia Pacific region. ZOEX represents a new generation of ocean energy being compact, resilient, and designed for regions where land, grid capacity, and energy security are increasingly constrained. EcoStrategy will leverage its regional deployment experience to accelerate ZOEX’s commercialisation across Asia,” said Dr. Howard Chou, Founder of EcoStrategy.