Inyanga Marine Energy Group has awarded contracts to several engineering firms to deliver its innovative 20-megawatt HydroWing tidal energy array. The project will be deployed at Morlais, a major tidal energy site off the coast of Anglesey in Wales. A demonstration version of the technology is scheduled for launch in early 2026.
The HydroWing system is designed to harness tidal currents to produce clean energy. Morlais, operated by the social enterprise Menter Môn Morlais, is one of the largest consented tidal energy zones in Europe. It offers a “plug and play” infrastructure to help developers lower costs and speed up deployment.
In a previous announcement, Inyanga named Hutchinson Engineering Ltd as the contractor responsible for fabricating the foundation and rear nacelle of the device. Now, the company has confirmed additional partners for key components of the project:
- PPI Engineering Ltd will design and build a custom generator and housing system.
- RMSpumptools will supply a bespoke 11kV wet-mate connector, using proven technology to ensure durable underwater connections.
- Involution Technologies Ltd will provide the main shaft unit, which includes a 3:1 gearbox.
- iconsys will lead the systems integration for power management.
- Éire Composites will manufacture the carbon fibre turbine blades.
- Prysmian will produce the export cables needed to transmit the generated power to shore.
Richard Parkinson, CEO of Inyanga Marine Energy Group, said the contracts were awarded through a rigorous tendering process. “The selected companies are all leaders in their fields. Most are based in the UK and have proven expertise in delivering advanced engineering solutions,” he said. “Our HydroWing technology will show how viable tidal energy is and help position Wales and the UK as leaders in renewable power.”
Morlais is the only tidal demonstration zone of its kind globally and has the capacity to generate up to 240MW of clean electricity. The Welsh Government has taken an £8 million equity stake in the Morlais project and recently invested a further £2 million in Inyanga Marine Energy Group.
Paul Ward, business development manager at PPI Engineering, said his team is proud to be part of the effort. “This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase British engineering and apply new technologies in the fight against climate change,” he said.
Andy Billcliff, CEO of Menter Môn Morlais, welcomed the progress. “It’s exciting to see all the parts coming together for the HydroWing demonstration in 2026,” he said. “This is innovation in action ahead of full-scale deployment in 2028.”
The HydroWing project aims to demonstrate the commercial potential of tidal energy and support the UK’s transition to a low-carbon energy future.
