Oct. 26 – HydroWing Ltd, the tidal energy division of Inyanga Marine Energy Group, has signed a contract with Ecodetect to introduce AI-driven environmental monitoring solutions to its pioneering tidal stream energy project at Morlais in Wales.
Richard Parkinson, CEO of Inyanga Marine Energy Group, says: “Tidal energy projects operate in sensitive marine environments. Ecodetect’s AI-driven monitoring solutions will help us balance performance and environmental responsibility. By continuously detecting marine life interactions and assessing infrastructure activity, we will be able to minimise ecological risks while maximising energy efficiency.”
Inyanga’s 30MW project at Morlais, which is backed by the Welsh Government and the UK government, will use Inyanga’s patented HydroWing technology.
Ecodetect designs, deploys and operates end-to-end marine wildlife monitoring systems for offshore renewable energy projects. Its surface and seabed-mounted sensor systems, combining underwater cameras and sonar, integrate directly with offshore renewable energy infrastructure.
Dr David Gold, CEO of Ecodetect, says: “Tidal energy will only reach its full potential if it can show it works in harmony with marine life. Inyanga is already leading the world in tidal stream development. With real-time AI monitoring, it can lead the way on environmental protection too.”
Ecodetect’s AI processes the data as it is collected, automatically distinguishing marine wildlife, such as seals, dolphins, fish and diving seabirds, from seaweed, debris and algae. Its marine communications network then relays the results in real time, so operators can trigger instant environmental mitigation protocols. The same data builds the evidence needed to demonstrate compliance with UK, EU and international environmental standards.
The HydroWing project will be deployed at Morlais on Anglesey in North Wales, which is the largest consented tidal stream energy scheme in Europe. Morlais is owned by social enterprise Menter Môn and managed by Menter Môn Morlais Ltd.
Andy Billcliff, Chief Executive of Menter Môn Morlais Ltd, says: “The deployment of the HydroWing project will be a key milestone for offshore renewable energy in Wales and the UK. It is great that the project will embed state-of-the-art environmental monitoring, supplied by Ecodetect, an innovative tech company also based on Anglesey. This is a superb example of local sourcing, which will bring further momentum to the North Wales economy, generating new jobs and social value.”
The first HydroWing tidal energy device is set for deployment at Morlais in 2027. When delivery of the project is completed in 2030, the project will deploy 18 tidal energy devices, each generating 1.67 MW of electricity. This will make the HydroWing Morlais project one of the largest tidal stream energy projects in the world.
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