The first phase of the project cost about 9 million Euros and generates power using 3 Pelamis Wave Energy Converters (PWEC) which are semi-submerged, articulated structures composed of cylindrical sections linked by hinged joints and are located approximately 3 miles off the coast.

The second phase of the project will install a further 25 PWEC and bring the total capacity up to 21MW, which will be able to meet the average annual electricity demand for more than 15,000 Portuguese households while displacing more than 60,000 tonnes per year of carbon dioxide emissions from conventional power plants.

Video below shows how the PWEC works…

UK will be the next to embrace the wave power with the Orcadian Wave Farm in northern Scotland and the Westwave project in Cornwall, southwestern England.

Portugal launched world’s first wave farm from YeinJee's Asian Blog

Top 10 countries of the GPI index rankings 2008

Europe dominates the top percentile of the list; New Zealand is the best ranked non-European country at #4, while Japan is highest ranked Asian country at #5.

My country Malaysia is ranked at 38th… I guess we are doing ok. So, how peaceful is your country? Full list here.

Global Peace Index Rankings 2008 from YeinJee's Asian Blog