The University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) Cymru is teaming up with the Welsh Government to develop the next generation of tidal stream turbine blades.

Collaborating with Menter Mon and the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult’s Welsh team, the Blades Tidal Energy Mill 2.0 (BLATEM 2.0) project looks to improve the efficiency, durability and overall performance of tidal energy blades, with the potential to transform the tidal energy industry.

The project is one of five to receive a share of £1 million from the Welsh Government as part of the VInnovate programme, which is run by the Vanguard Initiative (VI) to promote collaborative innovation across industrial regions in Europe, with a focus on small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Also involved in the project are two Galician firms - Magallanes Renovables, a marine renewable energy infrastructure manufacturer, and D3 Applied Technologies, a research organisation specialising in the fields of aerodynamics and hydrodynamics.

The AMRC, alongside Menter Mon and the ORE Catapult, will be supporting Magallanes in a review of their current design process, looking into more sustainable composite materials, as well as the decommissioning process and manufacturing layout.

Andrew Silcox, interim chief technology officer at the AMRC, said: “Wales is already recognised as a trailblazer in the establishment of tidal energy sites, and a hub for cutting-edge marine energy research, contributing its extensive knowledge and experience.

“This collaboration between AMRC Cymru, the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult and Menter Mon 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.

“Supporting the design and development of the newest tidal turbine blades, 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.”

More projects from Wales received funding in the 2024 VInnovate funding tranche than any other region. Welsh SMEs and organisations are now being invited to apply for VInnovate 2025 funding.

Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans, said: “Wales’ research and development sector is internationally renowned, with academia, industry and government working together to deliver big leaps in renewable energy innovation in particular.

“This culture of innovation has been championed and guided by our Wales Innovates strategy, laying the foundations for a green and prosperous future for Wales driven by collaborative innovation and new technologies that can have a real and lasting positive impact on every part of our society.

“I encourage organisations to seize the opportunities presented by programmes such as this to think big, collaborate internationally and further strengthen our innovation ecosystem and advanced manufacturing capabilities.”