Rebecca Evans, the Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, launched the Sector Deal on a visit to the Morlais tidal energy project in Anglesey on March 18, 2026.
Owned and managed by the social enterprise Menter Môn, the Morlais scheme, in which the Welsh Government has an £8 million equity stake, will become the largest consented tidal energy project in Europe.
Inyanga Marine Energy Group will deploy its 30 MW HydroWing tidal energy project at Morlais, having recently received the largest UK award for a tidal energy project in the UK government’s latest ‘Contracts for Difference’ round, Allocation Round 7.
Richard Parkinson, CEO of Inyanga Marine Energy Group, said: “This is a forward-looking partnership strategy that positions Wales right at the forefront of global renewable energy. We are proud that our innovative HydroWing tidal energy technology will play a pivotal role in delivering the Sector Deal. Our project at Morlais will bring significant economic benefits to Wales, creating new jobs and powering local communities with clean, renewable energy.”
HydroWing tidal stream energy technology. (Image credit: Inyanga)
The Renewable Energy Sector Deal coincides with the publication of the latest Energy Generation and Energy Use in Wales report, which shows renewable electricity generation in Wales in 2024 was equivalent to 54% of its electricity consumption.
The target is for renewable electricity generation to meet 70% of consumption by 2030 and 100% by 2035, whilst also delivering at least 1.5 gigawatts of locally owned renewable energy capacity by 2035.
The Sector Deal will help deliver on these ambitious targets by accelerating renewable deployment across onshore and offshore wind, solar, marine, and hydro. It also aims to strengthen supply chains, build the workforce of the future, and ensure that communities across Wales reap the benefits.
Rebecca Evans, the Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary, said: “Our ambition is to become a world leader in renewable energy, creating jobs and green growth to make families in Wales more prosperous and to help with the cost of living.
“The current conflict in the Middle East has further highlighted the importance of energy independence. Our Renewable Energy Sector Deal will provide a strong foundation for the future delivery of renewable energy—to the benefit of our economy, environment, and energy security.
“The Morlais project is a strong example of how sustained partnership can unlock Wales’ natural energy resources and convert them into lasting economic opportunity for local communities and businesses.”
Dafydd Gruffydd, Managing Director of Menter Môn, said: “The Renewable Energy Sector Deal is an important step in accelerating the growth of renewable energy in Wales and across the UK. For Menter Môn, it recognizes the important role marine energy schemes like Morlais can play in strengthening energy security, creating high-quality jobs, and delivering long-term economic benefits for local communities like Anglesey.”
