It contains four test berths, each with a 5 MW three-phase electrical cable operating at 13.2 kV connecting to an onshore substation.

[1][2] The site has a high wave energy resource of 21 kW/m, and is only 1 nmi (1.9 km; 1.2 mi) from the nearest port.

The test centre was expected to create additional economic activity and employment in the surrounding region, both directly and subcontracts.

[6] In summer 2013, seven marker buoys were installed to demarcate the test area, followed by the four subsea electrical cables.

The first version was installed in September 2018, and survived waves of up to 8 metres (26 ft) and wind speeds of 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph) during Storm Epsilon in 2020.

[1] In December 2021, a second version of HarshLab was launched at the Port of Bilbao, waiting for suitable window for installation.

[9] Oceantec Energías Marinas developed the MARMOK-A-5 WEC, and have tested two versions at BiMEP, as part of the "Open Sea Wave Operating Experience to Reduce Energy Cost" (OPERA) project.

[16] The 2 MW turbine was installed onto the foundation at the quayside of the Port of Bilbao in the summer of 2022, and towed to site the following year in August 2023.