Oceanlinx's inability to clean up the rusting hulk of its wave generator off Port Kembla has not stopped the company putting its hand out for almost $7 million in government funding.
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Oceanlinx decommissioned the generator, which has been falling apart in recent months, in 2009. That same year, the firm received $2.95 million in funding for a new device under the federal government's Climate Ready program.
Last year Oceanlinx obtained a $3.9 million grant from the Emerging Renewables Program to part-fund its $7.2 million "Commercial Wave Energy Demonstrator" off the coast of South Australia.
The Emerging Renewables Program is overseen by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).
A spokeswoman from ARENA declined to comment on whether it knew Oceanlinx had not removed the hulk of its Port Kembla wave generator when the $3.9 million was granted.
Nor would the spokeswoman say whether the agency would reconsider future funding requests from Oceanlinx until it removed the decaying generator.
However she did say ARENA "encourages companies and research organisations it works with to be socially responsible".
The spokeswoman said ARENA invested in projects that made renewable energy more affordable and increased the amount used in Australia.
"Our independent board decides which renewable energy projects will be financially supported in line with these objectives, according to our general funding strategy and investment plan," she said.
When the Mercury contacted Oceanlinx CEO Ali Baghaei this week he claimed the company was - yet again - planning to remove the wave generator.
"We do have plans but I'm not willing to discuss it with you," Mr Baghaei said.
He then said he was busy and had to rush off to a meeting but not before saying: "I have spoken to you and your chief editor and you do not reflect the facts and truth as they are, hence I have no further discussion with you. Thank you."
Mr Baghaei then ended the call.
