Inyanga Marine Energy Group has awarded the fabrication contract to build its HydroWing tidal energy device to Widnes-based firm Hutchinson Engineering.

 The 20 MW HydroWing tidal energy array will be deployed at Morlais off Anglesey in Wales, one of the largest consented tidal energy projects in Europe. 

The contract with Hutchinson Engineering covers the fabrication of the foundation frame and the rear nacelle, including welding, painting and coating to a specification capable of withstanding the harsh underwater environment. The foundation frame will weigh 120 tons, with an energy yield of 1.2 MW from a single unit. The nacelle is 19 metres high. Made of structural steel, the foundation frame will have a lifespan of 25 years and will be manufactured with full consideration of sustainability, including decommissioning at the end of its lifespan. 

The foundation frame will be part constructed at Hutchinson Engineering’s factory in Cheshire and final construction will take place quayside in Wales. The tidal energy prototype will deploy in the first quarter of 2026.

, Hutchinson has a team of 180 staff and 10,000 square metres of fabrication space spread over two sites.

Richard Parkinson, CEO of Inyanga Marine Energy Group, commented:

“Hutchinson Engineering have all the engineering expertise and ingenuity required to turn our innovative tidal stream technology concept into reality. The tidal energy scheme at Morlais is the largest of its kind in the world and this is a once in a generation opportunity to prove the full potential of tidal energy, really putting Wales on the map as a global pioneer in renewable energy.”

Steve Adams, MD of Hutchinson Engineering, said:

“We are extremely excited about winning the contract for this groundbreaking project. We pride ourselves on all our fabrications having a positive impact on the world and so this will be a flagship project for us. It is an opportunity to fabricate advanced technology that is expected to become a world leader in tidal energy.”

Andy Billcliff, CEO of Menter Mon Morlais, added:

“The award of the first fabrication contract is a significant milestone in our exciting journey to deliver tidal energy at Morlais, providing economic and sustainability benefits for Wales and the UK, as well as demonstrating the global commercial viability of tidal energy.”

Earlier this month, the Welsh Government announced a £2 million equity investment in Inyanga Marine Energy Group. This was part of a wider funding round by Inyanga Marine Energy Group, which is also progressing projects in France, Southeast Asia and Canada.

Inyanga Marine Energy Group develops cutting-edge solutions for the global offshore renewables industry. Inyanga Marine Energy Group operates a highly experienced and specialised team of offshore engineers from their head office in Falmouth, UK. The company also has offices in Quimper in France, Anglesey in Wales, and Nova Scotia in Canada.

In September 2024, Inyanga Marine Energy Group was awarded 10MW for their tidal energy project at Morlais through Allocation Round 6 (AR6) of the UK government’s Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme. This doubles the scale of their project, which uses their innovative HydroWing technology, to 20MW, building on their successful 10MW award in the previous allocation round.

The allocation was the largest tidal stream project in the UK in the latest Contracts for Difference round. Inyanga Marine Energy Group have also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Verdant Morlais Ltd to deliver a further 4.9MW Tidal Stream Energy project at Morlais.

In May 2025, the Welsh Government announced a £2 million equity investment in Inyanga Marine Energy Group, reinforcing Wales’ commitment to renewable energy development.