Tadek Engineering wins tidal energy platform contracts

Tadek Ocean Engineering is delivering a broad package of support to Spanish tidal energy developer Magallanes Renovables, a tidal energy systems developer, as it prepares to deploy a tidal energy array in the UK.

The consultancy has secured two contracts in CfD (contract for difference) allocation rounds – the first at the Morlais Demonstration Zone in North Wales, where it will instal two 1.5MW tidal energy platforms, adding 3MW to the 6MW secured in 2022.

The second project will take place at EMEC in Scotland where the company has its UK base and plans to instal a 1.5MW tidal energy array.

Established in 2010, Tadek delivers specialist consultancy, complex analysis, engineering solutions and project delivery for marine, offshore and subsea projects. This includes SURF & marine analysis, FOW (Floating Offshore Wind) & floating systems design, structural design, naval architecture, project engineering and project management support.

With a portfolio of over 200 projects worldwide, Tadek Founder and CEO Rupert Raymond said in a release that the firm supports Magallanes with a detailed design involving cables, installation and mooring systems.

“We are thrilled to announce Tadek’s partnership with Magallanes Renovables, supporting one of the world’s most ambitious tidal energy projects,” Raymond 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.”

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Magallanes Renovables CEO Alex Marques de Magallanes added: “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 … 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 €37.6 million ($48.1 million) 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 240MW. Once operational, it will able to provide clean power for more than 180,000 homes.

Last month, the construction of a £24 million ($30.7 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.

Supportive SONAR

According to Magallanes, underwater SONAR technology was also recently 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.”