On a bright Tuesday morning, the Port of Los Angeles witnessed a historic moment as Eco Wave Power, in partnership with AltaSea and Shell Marine Renewable Energy, launched the United States’ first onshore wave energy project. This pioneering initiative, which took place on September 9, 2025, marks a significant step forward in the quest for clean, renewable energy and positions Los Angeles—and California more broadly—at the forefront of ocean-powered electricity generation.
The scene at AltaSea’s ocean institute was both futuristic and practical: eight blue steel floats, resembling small boats, were gently set afloat in a channel adjacent to an unused wharf. These floats are far from ordinary. They are engineered to capture the motion of ocean waves, converting that energy into electricity that can be used locally. While the current output is modest, the larger ambition is to prove, once and for all, that the ceaseless movement of the sea can be harnessed to power homes, businesses, and entire communities.
According to Patch, the demonstration project is not just about generating a few kilowatts of power; it’s about laying the groundwork for a future where wave energy becomes a vital part of America’s renewable energy mix. The project’s timing couldn’t be better. California has been pushing aggressive climate policies, and the launch aligns perfectly with Senate Bill 605, which calls for a comprehensive roadmap for developing wave energy in the state.
Congresswoman Nanette Díaz Barragán, a leading advocate for marine energy, was on hand to celebrate the launch. She remarked, “Eco Wave Power made history by deploying its innovative wave energy technology into U.S. waters for the very first time. This milestone shows incredible potential for wave energy to power our communities with clean, renewable electricity, while creating jobs and protecting our environment. I am proud to support Eco Wave Power and to lead the Marine Energy Technologies Acceleration Act in Congress, so we can accelerate wave energy development across the country. Congratulations to Eco Wave Power on this groundbreaking achievement!”
The Marine Energy Technologies Acceleration Act, recently introduced by Congresswoman Barragán, is a $1 billion initiative aimed at scaling up marine energy across the nation. This federal support, combined with California’s climate ambitions, is creating fertile ground for innovation and investment in wave energy technologies.
Inna Braverman, Founder and CEO of Eco Wave Power, underscored the significance of the project’s launch. “California has been a pioneer for climate policy, and we are proud to see wave energy included in Senate Bill 605, calling for a full roadmap for wave energy in California. At the federal level, we applaud the leadership of Congresswoman Barragán for introducing the Marine Energy Technologies Acceleration Act, a $1 billion initiative to scale marine energy nationwide. This project shows that with the right policy, we can turn innovation into reality. And we’re just getting started. Today, I’m excited to announce that our next projects are already being prepared in Taiwan, India, and Portugal. Wave energy has enormous potential – it is predictable, reliable, and available right here on our coastlines. With projects like this, we are proving that wave energy is not just the future – it is here, now. So, let’s celebrate this milestone together. Because today, we are not just cutting a ribbon – we are opening the door to a new era of clean energy for California and for the world.”
Local leaders echoed Braverman’s optimism. Terry Tamminen, President and CEO of AltaSea, stressed the importance of turning innovative ideas into practical solutions. “AltaSea is a blue economy. We support researchers that are creating intellectual property, like Eco Wave Power, to make sure that they can scale up these technologies and make them practical and successful all over the world. Eco Wave Power is one of those exciting technologies that is ready to scale. It’s already around the world, and it’s only going to get bigger because it has solved many of the problems that other technologies has come up against, for harnessing something as challenging as wave energy. It takes a real clever technology, and I want to say genius, to be able to figure this out.”
The Port of Los Angeles, which has set ambitious goals to reach zero emissions within the next decade, sees localized energy generation as a crucial part of that journey. Michael J. Galvin, Director of Waterfront and Commercial Real Estate at the Port, noted, “The San Pedro Bay Port Complex has big goals to get to zero emissions in the next decade. We can only do this with significantly scaled-up local energy generation. Projects like this are super important to get us there. We can’t do it without localized energy sources, and this project provides us the ability to get there – to make this port the cleanest it can be. That’s a critical component of the port’s goals over the next decade. We really applaud AltaSea, and we applaud Eco Wave Power’s adaptive reuse of a very old port structure that is not used for anything else and now will be used to demonstrate how energy can be generated out of the ocean. We are really happy to be using the power of the ocean to continue the efforts here and bring the technologies and solutions that we need at the Port of Los Angeles to get to zero emissions in our port complex.”
The project’s significance extended beyond California. The launch event drew a global audience, with partners from Taiwan, Africa, and other regions attending to witness the debut and discuss future collaborations. Sandra Lee, speaking for CY Huang of I-Ke, detailed plans for a pilot project in Taiwan’s Suao Port, with ambitions to scale up to 400 megawatts. “Taiwan offers a unique combination: a strong wave climate, a sophisticated marine and power-electronics manufacturing base, and one of Asia’s most ambitious net-zero policy commitments by 2050. This makes it an ideal environment for wave energy commercialization. That is why I-KE has completed a detailed feasibility study and is now preparing to launch a pilot at Suao Port, with a roadmap to grow to 400 MW in the near future.”
Wilfred Emmanuel, CEO of Africa Great Future Development, highlighted Africa’s critical need for sustainable energy. “Africa faces critical energy challenges. In South Africa alone, over 80% of electricity is still generated from coal-fired power plants, and communities and industries continue to experience power shortages. At the same time, our continent has tremendous untapped renewable resources. With more than 2,800 kilometers of coastline, South Africa has enormous wave energy potential to diversify the energy mix, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and provide sustainable, reliable electricity to underserved communities and industries.”
National media outlets such as Good Morning America, CNN, Los Angeles Times, and the Associated Press covered the launch, underscoring the project’s importance and its potential to accelerate California’s clean energy goals. Local officials, including Laura Richardson of the California State Legislature and Council Member Tim McOsker, presented certificates of recognition to Eco Wave Power, hailing the milestone as a turning point for the city and the broader clean energy movement.
Eco Wave Power, already recognized for developing Israel’s first grid-connected wave energy power station and honored with the United Nations Global Climate Action Award, is rapidly expanding its global footprint. With projects in the pipeline in Portugal, Taiwan, India, and Africa, the company is determined to prove that wave energy can move from demonstration projects to large-scale, real-world solutions.
As the floats bobbed in the waters of Los Angeles Harbor, the excitement was palpable. This wasn’t just a ribbon-cutting ceremony—it was the opening of a new chapter in the world’s ongoing energy transition. With the backing of policymakers, local leaders, and international partners, the project signals a future where the relentless energy of the ocean is finally put to work for people and the planet.
