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ORPC Moves Forward with East Foreland Tidal Energy Project in Alaska
Ocean Renewable Power Company (ORPC), a leader in marine energy technology, has announced that it has submitted a draft pilot license application to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for the East Foreland Tidal Energy Project located in Cook Inlet, Alaska. This initiative aims to leverage the potential of free-flowing rivers and tidal currents to generate sustainable energy.
According to ORPC, the East Foreland site is regarded as having the strongest potential for tidal energy generation in the United States. The company’s strategic choice of this location is intended to foster the accelerated growth of tidal energy within the commercial sector, supported in part by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Water Power Technologies Office through the American Tidal Energy Project.
Moreover, ORPC asserts that their project is in line with President Trump’s Executive Order from January 20, which called for the establishment of a reliable and diversified energy supply. This order identified the kinetic energy from moving water as one of the resources that could help meet the nation’s energy needs for various sectors, including defense, manufacturing, and agriculture.
“Harnessing the power of Cook Inlet aligns with Alaska’s vision for its energy future,” stated Stuart Davies, President & CEO of ORPC. “We’re thrilled with the enthusiastic response and support received from Kenai Peninsula stakeholders, and the state as a whole, and look forward to continued work in partnership with them.”
ORPC has been examining the East Foreland site under a preliminary FERC permit issued in 2021. Since 2024, the company has been evaluating the feasibility of establishing a tidal energy system capable of providing local energy to the Kenai Peninsula. Following a rigorous technology selection process, ORPC plans to deploy its TidGen technology alongside the AR Series tidal turbine technology developed by Proteus Marine Renewable, both chosen for their compatibility with the unique conditions of Cook Inlet.
The submission of the draft license application initiates a 30 to 60-day review process by FERC, which includes a public comment period. This step follows extensive collaboration with state and federal agencies on the project’s design and location, employing an adaptive management strategy that ORPC has successfully utilized for previous licensing.
Additionally, ORPC has been shortlisted for a $29 million follow-on funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Water Power Technologies Office, which will enhance the development of the American Tidal Energy Project. A decision on this funding is anticipated in the coming months.
Subsequent studies and surveys of the East Foreland site will aid in finalizing engineering plans and laying the groundwork for submitting a final pilot license application to FERC. Should the licensing be approved, this would mark a significant milestone, representing ORPC’s second pilot project license as a developer and provider of tidal energy technology.
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www.renewableenergyworld.com