Milestone in Energy Generating History - World’s First Commercial Wave Power Plant Mutriku Inaugurated

MUTRIKU, Spain, July 8, 2011 -

With Photo

Today, the Basque seaport of Mutriku, located between Bilbao and
San Sebastian witnessed a historical day in energy generation
history. Utility Ente Vasco de la Energía (EVE) officially
inaugurated the Mutriku wave power plant - the first worldwide in
commercial operation. Voith Hydro supplied the equipment for
Mutriku’s 16 power units that will provide an output of 300
kilowatts in total - electricity sufficient for around 250
homes.

“The rising global demand for green energy proves to be a strong
catalyst for the implementations of innovative forms of renewable
energy. The Mutriku project shows: Our wave power technology is
commercially viable and ready for wide deployment on the global
markets,” says Dr. Roland Muench, Chief Executive Officer of Voith
Hydro Holding. “To further this development, adequate
feed-in-tariffs for wave power, as they already exist for a number
of renewables, can now set the right legal framework.”

Voith Hydro’s wave power technology can be deployed in new and
existing breakwaters, and in purpose-built structures. Building on
its long-term proven reliability, continuous design improvement
have allowed for developing the technology to its leading-edge
performance. The worldwide potential of the ocean energies is at an
estimated 1.8 terawatts and still remains largely untapped.

Voith Hydro ’s OWC (oscillating water column) technology is the
only one that is proven with regard to commercial utilization,
combining availability and efficiency on their highest levels. On
the Scottish island of Islay, Voith Hydro has been operating the
wave power plant Limpet for over a decade on a commercial scale,
producing over 65,000 grid-connected hours.

Voith sets standards in the markets energy, oil & gas,
paper, raw materials and transportation & automotive. Founded
in 1867, Voith employs almost 40,000 people, generates €5.2 billion
in sales, operates in about 50 countries around the world and is
today one of the biggest family-owned companies in Europe.

A picture accompanying this release is available through the PA
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Further information:
Voith GmbH
Corporate Press Office
Markus Woehl
Tel:    +49-7321-37-2219
Mobile: +49-173-300-8392
E-Mail: markus.woehl@voith.com

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