Pacific Powers turn Seawater to Fresh

Media Statement

March 22 2013

Pacific Powers turn Seawater to Fresh

The Wave Tap turns seawater into safe drinking water, without needing to rely on electricity or fuel. It is designed specifically for island communities by RCH Marine Renewables who are based in Cornwall, UK. Co-founder Chris Hassall is in NZ to meet with other renewable energy leaders at the Pacific Energy Summit, (PES), being held in Auckland next week.

Three years ago, after seeing firsthand what happens to communities who don’t have access to clean water, Marine engineer Russ Henman and Community worker, Chris Hassall, began developing a way of producing fresh water from the sea.

Chris says, “People get really sick from a lack of fresh clean water and we know Islands have specific needs. Maintenance is really important and the system has to be really robust. You have to think through how the technology is going to operate over a long period of time, in often quite harsh environments.”

“What we don’t want to do is dump a piece of technology on an atoll in the Pacific, and walk away and leave it. We are there for the long haul, that’s why we are developing relationships with companies who have experience working in the Pacific.”

British High Commissioner Vicki Treadell who will also be at the summit says, "Britain is a world leader in green technology and innovation and I am delighted that companies like RCH Renewables are here to highlight this at the PES".

Last year RCH Renewables commissioned a report from UK Trade & Investment on renewable energy opportunities in the Pacific. It showed that there is a real need and a developing market for this technology. UK Trade & Investment Deputy Director of Trade, Barbara Harris explains, “There is a momentum gathering behind renewable energies in the Pacific region and this kind of UK enterprise is well placed to work alongside the growing energy needs of the Pacific region.”

More information about this unique product can be found at the UK Trade & Investment stand at the Pacific Energy Summit.

http://www.pacificenergysummit2013.com/

ENDS

© Scoop Media