UK company unveils design of its 20 MW tidal energy project in Wales

UK-based tidal energy developer Inyanga Marine Energy Group has unveiled the design of its 20 MW HydroWing tidal energy project, set to be deployed at the Morlais tidal energy site in Wales. 

According to Inyanga, the project will mark the first deployment of Tocardo’s T3 turbines, with each of the 20 HydroWing units equipped with two T3 turbines.

Richard Parkinson, CEO of Inyanga Marine Energy Group, said: “The patented HydroWing design includes a number of innovative features, which together represent a step change in tidal energy design, increasing energy yield and reducing costs. The ‘all in one’ HydroWing system is based on a modular approach, which dramatically reduces CAPEX and installation costs.

Backed by the UK Government’s Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme, Inyanga secured its 20 MW capacity through Allocation Rounds 5 and 6 (AR5 and AR6). The HydroWing allocation in AR6 stands as the largest tidal energy award in the UK to date. A demonstration phase is planned for Morlais in 2025.

According to Parkinson, the modular substructure is designed to come in road-transportable sections that can be quickly assembled quayside for installation. The compact T3 turbines, small enough to be delivered in standard containers, simplify transport and reduce delivery costs, addressing challenges faced in remote locations. 

The components also feature a wet-mate connection system for quick “plug and play” setup, while lightweight micro-pile fixings reduce fixation costs by up to 60%. Parkinson added that the patented HydroWing Quad Barge follows a modular design, which helps minimize operations and maintenance costs.

“As well as all these significant cost reduction elements, the HydroWing system includes many features to increase energy yield. For example, the patented T3 turbine blades (each 600KW with 14m rotor diameter) benefit from passive pitch and a gearbox, delivering optimal yield, whilst the 19-meter nacelle height places the turbine in optimal flow conditions for maximum yield as well. The winning combination means that energy yield is increased dramatically, up to 60%,” Parkinson added.

HydroWing is described as a simple, cost-effective method for generating tidal stream energy. It consists of a structure that rests on the seabed and ‘wings’ with turbines attached, which are easily lowered into place. These turbines work in both directions, generating power with the incoming and outgoing tides, and are economical to produce in large quantities.

Andy Billcliff, CEO of Menter Mon Morlais, which manages the Morlais tidal energy site, noted: “This is a groundbreaking design that we expect to be a gamechanger for tidal energy. It offers the magic combination of reduced costs and increased energy yield.  This represents a big step forward towards the commercialisation of tidal stream energy, paving the way for global applications.”

In January 2024, Inyanga Marine Energy Group opened a new office in Wales to support the development of the 10 MW HydroWing tidal stream energy project at Morlais, as the Morlais HydroWing project is scheduled for deployment in 2027.

In June, Inyanga Marine Energy and Verdant Morlais (VML) inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to deliver a 4.9 MW tidal stream energy project at Morlais in Wales.

In October, the UK-based company launched a crowdfunding campaign to support the expansion of its patented tidal energy technology, HydroWing.