 A Wave Hub would send electricity to the national grid |
Researchers studying waves 12 miles (19km) off the north Cornish coast say they have new evidence proving the area has huge potential to make electricity. The height of the waves and the strength of the currents have been measured at a fixed location over three months using a special buoy.
The average wave height was about 2m (6.6ft), and the largest wave recorded in February was nearly 9m (29.5ft).
A Wave Hub to harness the waves is due to be put in place in the area in 2007.
Wave farms
BBC South West Environment Correspondent Adrian Campbell said: "The data is good news for the producers of wave to energy converters, which would look like giant snakes sitting on top of the water.
"They would eventually be linked up to a device to be installed on the sea bed called a Wave Hub. That is due to be put in place by 2007.
"Once it is there, new wave farms will then be able to pump clean energy back to the national electricity grid.
"The South West has some of the strongest tides and currents in the world and businesses are hoping there's be big money to be made here."
The South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) said a Wave Hub off the Cornish coast could generate electricity for 14,000 homes and create about 700 jobs by 2020.
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