The “Harnessing Wave Energy” project was selected from among 155 renewable energy, energy efficiency, decarbonization and education projects to receive the OLACDE “Energy Excellence 2026” Award , granted by the Latin American and Caribbean Energy Organization.
This international recognition highlights a technological development from Buenos Aires that seeks to harness the power of ocean waves to generate electricity . Developed by the National Technological University – Buenos Aires Regional Faculty (UTN-FRBA) and promoted by the Undersecretariat of Energy of the Province of Buenos Aires through the Distributed Generation Incentive Program (PROINGED), the device will be the first full-scale wave energy converter in Argentina and will have a nominal power of 30 kW .
The device will be installed on the North Breakwater of the Port of Mar del Plata , where it can be evaluated under real operating conditions. This stage will allow for analysis of the system's performance, optimization of its engineering, and the generation of knowledge to advance toward future, larger-scale developments.
The Province of Buenos Aires is developing this initiative - with an investment of USD 138,000 - through the Distributed Generation Incentive Program ( PROINGED ), a program jointly promoted by the Undersecretariat of Energy of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Services and the Regional Electricity Forum of the Province of Buenos Aires ( FREBA ).
The project also has the support of the Undersecretariat of Science, Technology and Innovation of the Ministry of Production, Science and Technological Innovation of the Province of Buenos Aires, strengthening the articulation between the provincial State, the University and the scientific-technological system.
The development of this technology is especially relevant for Argentina due to its extensive coastline and the potential of its marine energy resources. At the same time, it represents an opportunity to build national capacity in the development of new renewable technologies and to promote collaboration between research, innovation, and production.
The OLACDE award was presented on October 7 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, during the XI Energy Week , one of the main gatherings of the energy sector in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The recognition constitutes international support for scientific and technological development carried out in the country and for the joint work between the Province of Buenos Aires and the National Technological University, and highlights the importance of promoting innovation projects that contribute to diversifying the energy matrix and expanding national capabilities in renewable energies.