Tadek Ocean Engineering is providing support to Magallanes Renovables, a Spanish tidal energy developer, as it gears up to to deploy what has been described as the world’s first tidal energy array.

Magallanes specializes in the advancement and market implementation of floating tidal energy systems. Having clinched two contracts in the CfD allocation rounds, the first venture is the Morlais Demonstration Zone in North Wales. Here, the company is set to deploy two 1.5MW tidal energy platforms, augmenting the previously secured 6MW with an additional 3MW. The second project is slated for EMEC in Scotland, where the company has its UK headquarters, aiming to establish a 1.5MW tidal energy array.

Founded in 2010, Tadek specializes in providing expert consultancy, intricate analysis, engineering solutions, and hands-on project execution for marine, offshore, and subsea endeavors. Services encompass SURF and marine analysis, design of FOW (Floating Offshore Wind) and floating systems, structural design, naval architecture, as well as project engineering and management support.

With a portfolio of 200 plus projects worldwide, Tadek Founder and CEO Rupert Raymond said the firm is currently supporting Magallanes with detailed design involving cables, installation and mooring systems.

“We thrilled to announce Tadek’s partnership with Magallanes Renovables, supporting one of the world’s most ambitious tidal energy projects,” he said. “Tadek works on projects around the globe with a range of clients from innovative start-up device developers to market-leading oil and renewable companies. Our task with each client is fundamentally the same – to understand the ocean engineering challenge and to develop and deliver considered, practical and precise solutions to enable project success. By providing specialist, focussed solutions, we enable clients to make informed decisions, whether for investment or insurance planning or to support the successful implementation of projects and reduce risk and cost.”

The news comes as both Tadek and Magallanes prepare for the Marine Energy Wales Conference at Swansea Arena between March 13-14 – featuring updates from Morlais which is managed by social enterprise company Menter Môn.

Magallanes Renovables CEO Alex Marques de Magallanes said most recently, underwater sonar technology was deployed on the firm’s ATIR tidal energy converter, as part of Menter Môn’s Marine Characterisation Research Project (MCRP). The research and development project will support the safe implementation of tidal energy converters in the Morlais Demonstration Zone.

Using technical solutions developed by the Sea Mammal Research Unit at the University of St Andrews, the active sonar was mounted beneath the hull on the Magallanes ATIR tidal energy converter, currently deployed at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney.

“We are proud to be working at the vanguard of the renewable energy sector,” said Mr Marques de Magallanes. “In order push the boundaries and deploy new, innovative technology it’s been imperative to build a world-class supply chain, including partners such as Tadek Ocean Engineering, who bring an unparalleled level of expertise – in this case within marine operations.

“The recent CfD’s for tidal energy projects represent a significant step towards unlocking a new resource at a large scale that will bring a brighter, cleaner, and more sustainable future for our communities, our planet, and generations to come. We look forward to discussing latest technology updates at the Marine Energy Wales Conference in the coming days, as we prepare for our Morlais deployment, which alongside our Scottish project, is set to make a substantial impact on the renewable energy landscape in the UK.”

Morlais provides infrastructure for tidal energy developers to deploy devices at commercial scale, backed by €37.6million in grant funds from the EU’s Regional Development.

Located off the northwest coast of Holy Island, Anglesey, the consented area for the installation and commercial demonstration of multiple arrays of tidal energy devices will be suitable for a maximum installed capacity of 240 MW. Once operational, it will able to provide clean power for more than 180,000 homes.

Just last month, the construction of a £24 million substation for the Morlais site was completed after being officially opened by the First Minister of Wales in October 2023. The first turbine deployments are scheduled for 2026.