Welsh Government Invests £2 Million in Tidal Energy Innovation

Daniel Bevan - Senior Journalist

The Welsh Government has made a £2 million equity investment in Inyanga Marine Energy Group, a leading tidal energy company, underscoring Wales’ commitment to advancing renewable energy technologies.

The announcement, set to be made by First Minister Eluned Morgan at today’s Marine Energy Wales Conference in Cardiff, marks a significant boost for tidal energy innovation. The investment will support the testing of advanced tidal turbines under real sea conditions at the Morlais tidal energy site, located off Ynys Môn (Anglesey).

This funding will enable Inyanga Marine Energy Group to enhance turbine performance, increasing energy production by up to 60%. The upgraded turbines will be pivotal in powering many of the tidal energy projects planned for the Morlais site.

Situated in an area renowned for its strong tidal currents, Morlais covers a 35 square kilometre zone with the potential to generate enough electricity to power over 180,000 homes once fully developed. It stands as one of Europe’s largest consented tidal energy projects.

The Welsh Government is committed to establishing Wales as a global hub for cutting-edge tidal technologies. Today’s investment reflects the First Minister’s priorities of building a greener, stronger economy and addressing the climate emergency.

First Minister Eluned Morgan said: “This investment is a big step forward for Wales’ clean energy future. Tidal energy offers reliable, clean power and creates quality jobs in coastal communities where they’re needed most.

“By investing in innovation, we’re putting Wales at the forefront of marine energy technology. The improved turbines will explore making tidal energy more practical, helping speed up the global move away from fossil fuels.

“Following my visit to the international Wind Europe conference in Copenhagen last month, today’s investment shows how serious we are about renewable energy and its important role in meeting our future energy needs.”

Richard Parkinson, CEO of Inyanga Marine Energy Group, emphasised the impact of the investment: “Our patented HydroWing tidal array technology is right at the forefront of developments in renewable energy, untapping the full potential of ocean tides as a perpetual and predictable source of energy. This significant £2 million equity investment from the Welsh Government completes the financing for the demonstration phase of our ambitious technology.

“The tidal energy scheme at Morlais is the largest consented project of its type in the world, really putting Wales on the map as a global leader in renewable energy. Tidal energy has the potential to deliver 11% of the UK’s total energy needs and today’s announcement is an important milestone on that journey.”

Andy Billcliff, CEO of Menter Môn Morlais Ltd, also expressed his enthusiasm: “We are proud to see this significant milestone as Inyanga gears up to deploy their HydroWing demonstration project within the Morlais zone. It’s a major step not only for the tidal energy sector but also for Anglesey and the wider Welsh economy.

“This development highlights the potential of our natural resources to drive innovation, create high-quality jobs and contribute meaningfully to achieving Wales’ net-zero ambitions. This is an exciting moment for renewable energy in Wales.”