The BioWAVE system, which was deployed in December 2015, is yet to funnel electricity into the national grid, with damaged equipment and heavy swells delaying the project. 

Damage to an underwater cable has caused the latest hold up to the wave energy pilot.  

Renewable energy technology company BioPower Systems chief executive Tim Finnigan said they would attempt to energise the unit in May.

"We've had extensive delays to the project due to complications with the sub-sea cabling,” Mr Finnigan said. 

“The original cable that we installed was damaged. Despite efforts to repair it and rectify it during 2016, we concluded it was significantly damaged so we had to replace it.”

Once operational, the system will extract energy from the waves and turn it into electricity on board the BioWAVE unit. 

 The location, five kilometres west of Port Fairy, was chosen because of the area’s high-powered waves.  

“Port Fairy and the south-west coast of Victoria has one of the best wave climates anywhere, but with that it also has one of the most intense and strongest wave impacts.

“It’s definitely challenging to work in it and we're learning that by doing it.” 

He said although the unit had not yet been commissioned, the team had gathered useful knowledge.

“Even though we haven't successfully completed the project as of yet, we've learnt an incredible amount about the system and how it functions and holds up in the ocean environment.

“We're already compiling all our information and notes towards how we can improve the design going forward.

Mr Finnigan said the delay could mean a shorter operating time in the south-west and while manageable, the time lost had increased project costs.

“The intention for the technology is to expand it and deploy it in multiple locations but we'll be looking to do a second generation demonstration before we really try to go widespread with deployment. It's too early to say when and where that will be.

“All our efforts are going into getting this project over the line and we'll consider the future after that. 

“We're hopeful that this is going to be our year.

“If things go our way there could be further opportunities in the region but we'll see when we get there,” Mr Finnigan said. 

He said restrictions for mariners around the site remained in place.