Pelamis Sea Serpent's Future Uncertain as Orkney Council Weighs Preservation or Scrap
The future of the first wave energy device to power the UK's national grid, the Pelamis sea serpent, hangs in the balance. The Orkney Islands Council, which acquired it for a pound after its creator's company went bankrupt, is now weighing its options. The decision: preserve the historic symbol or sell it for scrap.
The Pelamis sea serpent, once a beacon of hope for renewable energy, was decommissioned in 2014. Its creator, Richard Yemm, was honoured with the Saltire Prize for his innovative design. The 750-tonne device, installed at the European Marine Energy Centre in 2004, was the first of its kind to generate electricity from the sea's waves.
Since its acquisition by the Orkney Islands Council in 2017, maintaining the sea serpent has cost nearly £45,000. Despite these expenses, a suitable use for the device has not been found. The council is now grappling with the decision to either preserve the historic machine or sell it for scrap.
The Pelamis sea serpent, a once-promising symbol of renewable energy, faces an uncertain future. The Orkney Islands Council's decision to preserve or scrap the device will shape its legacy. Meanwhile, another creature, a Pelamis sea otter, is currently undergoing rehabilitation on the islands, with plans to release it back into the wild.
