This year’s ceremony also marked the Foundation’s 20th anniversary and brought together nearly 400 scientists, innovators, partners and environmental leaders.
The Foundation recognized CorPower Ocean for its pioneering efforts to unlock the potential of wave energy by tackling storm resilience and establishing wave power as a competitive, reliable source of clean electricity. The other 2026 laureates are Kenyan coral reef scientist Dr David Obura and Chadian Indigenous rights and climate advocate Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim.
“We are deeply honored to receive the Planetary Health Award from the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation,” said Möller. “This recognition shines a light on the enormous potential of wave energy in the global energy transition, and on the work it takes to deliver it. The award belongs to our team: 130 stubborn minds from 25 countries who are turning that potential into reality.”
Established in 2008, the Planetary Health Awards recognise outstanding contributions in science, awareness and innovation that support the protection of the planet and advance solutions to challenges including climate change, biodiversity loss and sustainable resource management. Previous laureates include Sir David Attenborough, Jane Goodall, Johan Rockström, John Kerry and Leonardo DiCaprio.
The award follows another milestone in CorPower Ocean’s commercialization. In July 2026, its wave energy converter became the first in the world to receive a DNV Prototype Certificate under DNV-SE-0120, a key step towards bankability and large-scale deployment.
Founded in 2012, CorPower Ocean develops wave energy converters designed to withstand the ocean’s most powerful storms while efficiently generating electricity from everyday waves. The company’s technology has demonstrated its resilience in Atlantic conditions, successfully enduring storm waves of up to 18.5 metres, validating a novel approach to one of renewable energy’s most demanding engineering challenges.
CorPower Ocean is now advancing its first industrial-scale wave energy farms in Portugal and Scotland, building on years of technology development and operational experience in the Atlantic Ocean. These projects are central to the company’s mission to establish wave energy as a complementary component of a diversified, resilient and low-carbon electricity system.
“Wave energy is a field where Europe leads. We have the opportunity to build a new industry, with sustainable jobs and clean, competitive power from our coastlines. And we can build it in harmony with the oceans, protecting the sea life we share them with,” added Möller.
The award also recognizes the contribution of CorPower Ocean’s international team, partners and investors, as well as the pioneering vision of the late co-founder and inventor Stig Lundbäck, whose groundbreaking concepts helped lay the foundations for the company’s wave energy technology.
