The Indian wave energy plant is based on the Oscillating Water Column (OWC) principle at Vizhinjam, Kerala and has been a technology demonstration plant. A scheme was envisaged wherein the impulse turbine existing on the caisson is connected to a variable speed alternator to run a desalination plant as load. A methodology has been established to forecast the performance of the turbine, alternator, battery and inverter by means of a simulated wave profile and differential pressure. Actual testing of the scheme was carried out in the laboratory and the scheme was found to be successful. New control logic was introduced, whereby the desalination plant can be run using either the supply from wave power or, during low wave conditions, by electricity board supply or a diesel generator to ensure a continuous supply of fresh water. The scheme for running the reverse osmosis (RO) based desalination plant using wave power has thus been proved and the system has been successfully commissioned. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.