Ocean Renewable Power Company (ORPC), a developer of renewable power systems that generate electricity from free-flowing river and tidal currents, and its wholly-owned subsidiary, ORPC Chile, launched "Decarbonization from Patagonia to Cape Horn," in Punta Arenas, Chile, today.
The event, which included participation by Chilean mayors from nearby municipalities, regional government leaders and other officials, was held in partnership with the U.S. Embassy in Chile. The Embassy will be highlighting collaborative efforts in clean energy, such as projects by ORPC, in its celebration of 200 years of diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Chile, and the 20th anniversary of a free trade agreement between the two countries.
"The Embassy is excited that local communities in the south of Chile are interested in using ORPC power systems in river and tidal areas to accelerate the energy transition away from diesel use and provide a more sustainable way to generate electricity," said Dinah McDougall, Senior Commercial Officer, U.S. Embassy. "ORPC provides a good example of how the U.S. government is working with companies to help integrate their clean energy solutions into global markets. Companies like ORPC are creating jobs of the future not only in the United States, but in countries where their products have impact."
"I applaud ORPC's example of clean energy technology being developed in Maine that is providing solutions globally, while benefiting the Maine economy," remarked Dan Burgess, Director of the Maine Governor's Energy Office. "Our administration has led on climate change mitigation strategies, development of clean energy jobs and continued innovation opportunities through agencies such as Maine Technology Institute. Our efforts and the example of ORPC illustrate how Maine is a good place to grow a business whether you serve local markets or export internationally."
ORPC has increased Maine-based employment by 28 percent over the last year, awarded over $500,000 in contracts this summer to Maine-based subcontractors, and is increasing its footprint in Maine via use of its river test site in Millinocket, tidal energy testing and microgrid development in Eastport, and increased development and use of its engineering laboratory in Brunswick.
In June, ORPC announced that it had signed an agreement for its first project outside North America, with the Municipality of Chile Chico, a gateway community to Patagonia, to install a RivGen® Power System there in 2023. Since then, the company has signed letters of intent with the governing body of national parks in Chile, CONAF, which oversees Torres del Paine National Park, one of the most famous travel destinations in the world, and with the Tierra del Fuego community of Timaukel.
"There are multiple areas of Patagonia that can benefit from ORPC's power system solutions and, as in North America, we are using the knowledge and skills of local contractors to provide the expertise necessary to install in Chilean waters," said Sergio Andrade, country director for ORPC Chile. "This impact on the local economy is an important part of the core values that our company brings to the market."
ORPC power systems generate electricity from tidal and river currents without use of dams or impoundments. They create no viewshed issues, operate quietly and require minimal land. Additionally, they provide predictable power to shore, making them excellent baseload strategies for on-grid and off-grid applications alike.
"ORPC's efforts in Chile are part of a growing and insatiable demand internationally for renewable energy, and ORPC is establishing itself as the market leader in remote and rural areas with river and tidal current resources," said ORPC Chief Executive Officer, Stuart Davies.
The midday launch of "Decarbonization from Patagonia to Cape Horn," in Punta Arenas featured remarks by Ms. McDougall, Chilean governmental dignitaries, Mr. Andrade and Mr. Davies.
ORPC's RivGen Project with the tribal village of Igiugig, Alaska, is the longest operating hydrokinetic project in all the Americas. It is deployed in the Kvichak River, the largest sockeye salmon run river in the United States. The 2023 installation of a second device, together with an energy storage system and smart microgrid controls, will enable the community to reduce its diesel use by 60% to 90%. ORPC's partnership with Igiugig exemplifies how ORPC can provide baseload renewable energy while reducing diesel dependence and cost, and lower carbon emissions, noise, and environmental risk, without putting fishery resources at risk.
ORPC is headquartered in Portland, Maine, with an electronics and engineering laboratory in Brunswick, a marine operations center and in-water product test site in Eastport, and a river device testing center in Millinocket, Maine. It has a project office in Anchorage, Alaska. Along with ORPC Chile in Punta Arenas, ORPC international subsidiaries are located in Montreal (ORPC Canada) and Dublin (ORPC Ireland). ORPC has a long track record of industry firsts and prestigious awards dating back more than a decade. Most recently ORPC was honored as 2021 Innovator of the Year by the Maine International Trade Center. For more information visit www.orpc.co.
For more information, please contact:
Susy Kist, ORPC Director of Communications
Tel: +1 207 272 8615
skist@orpc.co
