A new collaboration between research and industry partners in Wales and Galicia has been launched to improve the efficiency and durability of tidal energy turbine blades, supported by funding from the Welsh Government.
Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) Cymru is working alongside Menter Môn and the Welsh team from the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult on the initiative, which is part of the VInnovate programme led by the Vanguard Initiative. The programme aims to foster innovation across European industrial regions, with a focus on small and medium-sized enterprises.
The project is one of five selected to share £1 million in funding through the Welsh Government’s VInnovate scheme. Also participating are two Galician organisations—Magallanes Renovables, a manufacturer of marine renewable energy infrastructure, and D3 Applied Technologies, a specialist in aerodynamic and hydrodynamic research.
“This collaboration between AMRC Cymru, the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult and Menter Môn will create a strategic partnership among the regions of Wales and Galicia, bringing together a unique blend of expertise and innovation in the field of renewable energy,” said Andy Silcox, interim chief technology officer at the AMRC.
The project will focus on the design and development of next-generation tidal turbine blades, with the aim of boosting performance and reliability in marine environments. Organisers say the partnership will not only enhance technical capabilities but also strengthen long-term cross-regional cooperation in renewable energy innovation.
“Wales is already recognised as a trailblazer in the establishment of tidal energy sites, and a hub for cutting-edge marine energy research,” Silcox added. “The project will lay the groundwork for a lasting collaboration, driving future innovations and projects in renewable energy to contribute to a more sustainable energy landscape.”
The initiative reflects wider efforts to position Wales as a leader in tidal energy development and to support the growth of marine renewables as part of the UK’s clean energy transition.
