Trump Administration Approves PacWave South Wave Energy Site

The United States Department of Energy has approved the opening of PacWave South, the first large-scale wave energy testing facility connected to the continental U.S. electrical grid. Located off the coast of Oregon and developed by Oregon State University, the site allows companies to test wave energy converters, including point absorbers and oscillating water columns, without the need for individual permits.

The facility's opening follows a go/no-go review required after Donald Trump returned to office in 2025. While the administration has restricted offshore wind development due to national security concerns, officials approved the project because wave energy is uniquely suited to power national security applications such as remote sensors and autonomous underwater vehicles. The project has received nearly $150 million in federal investment since 2016.

Despite the official opening and grid connection, the facility has not yet generated electricity. Developers are currently facing federal funding delays that have hindered the delivery of testing devices to the site. Proponents note that the pre-permitted nature of the site reduces costs for technologies that could potentially meet 57% of U.S. electrical needs.