Abstract: In order to improve the energy capture efficiency of direct-drive ocean wave power generation system in irregular ocean waves,a genetic algorithm based control scheme is proposed. The output power model of the wave energy system under irregular waves is derived by using the model of the power system under regular wave conditions. The genetic algorithm is designed based on selection,cross over,mutation,and iteration to identify the optimal system parameters. Then,the maximum power tracking control is implemented in conjunction with the space vector control algorithm. The comparative simulation results show that the proposed algorithm can effectively improve the energy capture efficiency of the wave power generation system.