South West firm to play key role in €10M international tidal energy project

A €10M international project launches this week to unlock the potential of tidal and river energy systems in North West Europe, with South West technology at the heart of it.

The SHINES project (Showcasing Hydrokinetic energy Innovations for Northwest European Energy Sovereignty) brings together 14 partners from France, Ireland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Germany.

Among them is Falmouth-based Inyanga Marine, which brings its patented HydroWing tidal energy technology as one of three innovations that will be deployed throughout the test period.

With a total budget of €10M, including 60% ERDF funding (€6M), this ambitious project led by OPEN-C Foundation will span from January 2025 to December 2028.

North-West Europe (NWE) is a prime location for tidal and river energy development, thanks to unique natural features. Specific locations - gulfs, straits, islands, inlets, and spots along large rivers - offer promising conditions. Despite its potential, tidal and river energy in NWE requires further investment to overcome political, economic, and regulatory hurdles.

SHINES will address these challenges by replicating and scaling up three innovative solutions (HydroWing, RivGen and TidalKite) through grid connections and real sea deployments in France and the Netherlands. Some of the most promising sites across the region will be developed, engaging 100 organisations in the adoption of tidal and river energy systems.

Inyanga will design, construct and install a grid-connected 600kW tidal energy turbine on the Paimpol-Bréhat test site in France, then operate and monitor the device throughout the test period.

In addition, Inyanga will install and maintain the SeaQurrent TidalKite device at Paimpol-Bréhat, managing all offshore operations.

Diane Dhomé, project manager at Inyanga, told SWTD: "We are delighted to be involved in this large-scale international project, helping to unleash the largely untapped tidal energy potential in North-West Europe. Energy independence is more crucial than ever, and it is essential that European sources of clean energy are made full use of as the global economy transitions to a renewable future. Our HydroWing technology delivers cost-effective tidal energy solutions and we are excited to work with international partners to spearhead tidal energy innovation."

NWE's wealth of expertise in water management, hydrodynamics, flow measurements, and innovative technologies such as HydroWing, RivGen and TidalKite provide a solid foundation for progress. SHINES aims to catalyse transnational collaboration, enabling the region to consolidate efforts, quantify its energy potential, and drive investments to achieve generation capacity targets.

The project is aligned with Europe’s Net-Zero Strategy and the Critical Raw Materials Act, contributing to the goals of 1GW of ocean energy capacity by 2030 and 40GW by 2050. Ocean energy holds the promise of creating 400,000 high-value jobs by 2050, revitalizing coastal communities with histories rooted in shipbuilding, fishing, and oil and gas industries.

Photo: the SHINES team