Tidal stream partners come together for 4.9MW Morlais project

Both partners were awarded berths at Morlais in the recent ‘Contracts for Difference’ (CfD) Allocation Round 5, which took place in September 2023.

Inyanga was awarded a 10MW project, which will be based around the company’s patented HydroWing tidal stream technology. Verdant Morlais Ltd (VML) was allocated 4.9MW in the CfD round and has now partnered with Inyanga to help deliver that project.

Verdant's device is a three-bladed horizontal axis tidal turbine that sits on a triangular frame on the seabed, previously tested in New York’s East River. 

“Verdant Morlais is delighted to announce this new partnership with Inyanga Marine Energy Group,” said Joe Klein, VML board director.

“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.”

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. Inyanga is set to 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.

“This new partnership allows us to explore economies of scale and creates a clear commercial path for our project,” said Richard Parkinson, CEO of Inyanga Marine Energy Group.

“Collaboration unlocks exciting new opportunities for innovation and cost reduction, potentially accelerating development of the tidal energy industry.”

Morlais is a grid-connected tidal stream energy project located in the Irish Sea just off the west coast of Holyhead, Anglesey. Developed by the social enterprise agency Menter Môn, the site has capacity for up to 240 MW of tidal energy, making it the largest consented tidal scheme in Europe. Construction started in 2022, with the first devices expected to come online in 2026.

“We are thrilled to see this innovative partnership between two of the tidal energy companies awarded projects in the latest ‘Contracts for Difference’ round,” said Andy Billcliff, chief executive of Menter Môn Morlais Limited.

“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.”

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