Southeast Asia earmarks first tidal energy plant

The site will be situated at the remote Capul Island of Northern Samar in the Philippines, along the San Bernardino Strait, a passage well-known for the strength of its marine currents.

“This exciting project will create a step change for the remote community on Capul. It will bring tidal energy to the region of Southeast Asia for the first time,” said Jean-Christophe Allo, commercial manager at Inyanga Marine Energy.

”As the project incorporates an onshore storage facility, the tidal turbines will provide continuous 24/7 power supply. Right now, Capul has only 8 to 16 hours of energy per day, with several blackouts. We will provide a 24/7 reliable and renewable electricity.”

Tidal technology

The contract for engineering, procurement and construction will see Inyanga use its HydroWing tidal stream technology in the 1MW project, which is expected to deploy in late 2025.

HydroWing tidal stream turbines will be connected to the electrical network of Capul, an off-grid island currently relying on a 750 kW diesel power plant.

The first stage of the project consists of a 1MW tidal power plant, to be connected into a microgrid network coupled with Solar PV and energy storage, delivering a reliable, sustainable and cost-competitive alternative to fossil-based power generation.

Energies PH also plans to install other tidal power generation sites through its affiliate San Bernardino Ocean Power Corporation in San Antonio Island, Northern Samar and the Calintaan Island in Matnog, Sorsogon.

Inyanga Marine Energy Group has two divisions – HydroWing, which focuses on tidal energy technology development, and Inyanga Maritime, which delivers offshore engineering and installation. Based out of Falmouth UK, the company also has offices in Rennes, France and more recently, Anglesey in Wales.

The company aims to advance its innovative tidal energy converter, the HydroWing, to provide cost-effective, reliable and predictable power to communities around the globe.

HydroWing was the largest tidal stream project in Wales to be successful in the UK government’s latest Contracts for Difference round. The 10MW project will be located at the Morlais tidal energy site in Anglesey, which is managed by the social enterprise Menter Môn.

HydroWing has also recently designed an innovative new barge which it said will help drive down the cost of installation and maintenance for its patented tidal stream array technology.