Inyanga Marine Energy Group and Verdant Morlais Ltd (VML) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to deliver a 4.9MW tidal stream energy project at Morlais in Wales, the largest consented tidal energy scheme in Europe.

Photo: Morlais Landfall Substation in Wales 

The Morlais Development Zone is a tidal-stream energy project located off the coast of Holy Island, Anglesey. Morlais is being developed by Menter Mon, a social enterprise in north Wales, in partnership with the Welsh government, commercial entities and other third parties.

Menter Mon will provide the infrastructure for developers of tidal energy devices, including Verdant Power, to deploy the devices on a commercial scale and connect to a UK electricity transmission and distribution company

The project is being developed in stages. The first stage was completed with the Welsh Government and Natural Resource Wales awarding consent for the project in December 2021.

The second stage is now underway and includes construction of onshore infrastructure to prepare for deployment of tidal-stream energy devices by their developers in the zone.

The third stage will be deployment of tidal energy devices by developers, each with their own designated berth. Verdant Power, Inc., operating as Verdant Isles Ltd in partnership with Belleville Duggan Renewables, was awarded a berth following a competitive award process

Andy Billcliff, Chief Executive of Menter Môn Morlais Limited, which manages the Morlais tidal energy site said:

“We are thrilled to see this innovative partnership between two of the tidal energy companies awarded projects in the latest ‘Contracts for Difference’ round. By combining forces and unleashing economies of scale as well as the power of collaborative thinking, we expect to see an impact on the overall success of the Morlais project, helping to establish the commercial viability of tidal energy as a clean renewable energy.”

The project will take place in a berth close to the 10MW project awarded to Inyanga through the UK Government ‘Contracts for Difference’ Allocation Round 5 in September 2023, which will utilise Inyanga’s patented HydroWing tidal stream technology.

VML was also awarded a 4.9MW tidal project at Morlais in Allocation Round 5. VML is a joint venture company established by Verdant Power, Inc. (New York, USA) and Duggan Brothers Contractors Ltd (Ireland) to assess and develop tidal energy projects in Ireland and the United Kingdom.

Joe Klein, VML Board Director, said:

“Verdant Morlais is delighted to announce this new partnership with Inyanga Marine Energy Group. Connected to the national grid and with all necessary infrastructure provided, the Morlais demonstration site is unique worldwide and it represents a significant opportunity for the tidal energy industry in general. We are looking forward to deploying the first 4.9MW phase of our commercial project at Morlais, with buildout of an additional 25MW to follow.”

Inyanga Marine Energy Group will deliver a full Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Installation solution to VML for the 4.9MW project in conjunction with a long-term Operations and Maintenance contract.

Richard Parkinson, CEO of Inyanga Marine Energy Group commented:

“This new partnership allows us to explore economies of scale and creates a clear commercial path for our project. Collaboration unlocks exciting new opportunities for innovation and cost reduction, potentially accelerating development of the tidal energy industry.”

Based in Falmouth and with offices in Rennes, France and Anglesey, Wales, Inyanga Marine Energy Group is at the forefront of the fast-growing global marine renewables industry. The Group comprises two divisions – Inyanga Maritime (which specialises in offshore engineering and installation) and HydroWing (which focuses on tidal energy development.)