[4] In May 2004, a 2 MW (peak power output) Archimedes Wave Swing (AWS) was installed at Aguçadoura, after unsuccessful attempts in 2001 and 2002.

[6] The AWS device on the submersible pontoon foundation was 48 m long, 28 m wide and 35 m high, and sat on the sea bed beneath the waves.

[2] Another of the partners, Energias de Portugal (EDP), were not discouraged by the failure and signed an agreement with US-based Principle Power to develop floating offshore wind turbines.

[2] An initial agreement between Principle Power and EDP was made in 2009 to develop floating offshore wind turbines at the Aguçadoura site.

[2] A consortium called WindPlus was set up to develop the project; it included Principle Power, EDP, and Vestas.

[8] After five years, the testing programme was completed, the device having survived 17 m high waves, wind speeds of up to 111 km/h , and generated 17 GWh of renewable electricity for the Portuguese grid.