Inyanga Signs AI Monitoring Contract for 30 MW Tidal Energy Project

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On October 26, HydroWing, a subsidiary of UK marine energy company Inyanga Marine Energy Group, signed a contract with Ecodetect to deploy an artificial intelligence marine wildlife monitoring system for the 30 MW Morlais tidal energy project on Anglesey, Wales. The system uses underwater cameras, sonar and AI recognition technology to monitor marine animal activity near the power generation facilities in real time, providing data support for equipment operation and environmental protection. The project plans to deploy its first generating device in 2027 and complete installation of all 18 units by 2030.

Ecodetect will provide sensing equipment installed at the water surface and on the seabed, and connect it to the tidal energy generation facilities. Underwater cameras and sonar jointly collect marine environmental data, and the AI system automatically identifies seals, dolphins, fish and diving seabirds during data acquisition while distinguishing non-animal targets such as seaweed and floating debris. The recognition results are transmitted in real time to the operating system via the marine communication network, enabling on-site personnel to determine whether environmental risk prevention measures need to be activated.

The monitoring data will also be used to record contact and activity between marine organisms and underwater generation facilities, and to support the project's environmental compliance assessment. Ecodetect is responsible for the design, deployment and operation services of the marine wildlife monitoring system, and its equipment will be used in conjunction with HydroWing tidal energy units. The contract currently signed by both parties covers monitoring equipment and services, and the related systems are still in the subsequent deployment stage.

The Morlais project adopts Inyanga's self-developed HydroWing tidal energy generation technology, with plans to install 18 generating devices with a rated power of 1.67 MW each, for a total installed capacity of approximately 30 MW. The project is owned by Welsh social enterprise Menter Môn and managed by its subsidiary Menter Môn Morlais, and has received support from the UK Government and the Welsh Government. The first device is planned for offshore deployment in 2027, with the remaining units to be installed in batches according to the project construction plan, with the goal of completing overall delivery by 2030.