Reflecting on 10 Years of Marine Energy in Wales – Martin Murphy

Following 12 years in the Royal Navy, Martin has forged a successful career in the marine renewable energy sector. He ran a tidal energy company in Wales and served as Chair of Marine Energy Wales for 12 years.

Throughout his career, Martin has worked in Europe, North America and the Far East.

Tell us about your current role and your connection to the Welsh marine energy sector, what led you to where you are today?

I started in the sector in 2009, when I was invited to join a tidal energy development company called Tidal Energy Ltd (TEL). We were based in Cardiff, and we had a project in Ramsey Sound, which is where my link to Pembrokeshire began.

I worked with TEL until 2016. During that time, we designed, constructed and installed a commercial prototype device in Ramsey Sound. Unfortunately, the company encountered financial difficulties and was unable to secure further investment. Sadly, the company went into administration.

Since 2016, I have worked as a freelance consultant across the marine energy sector, advising on wave, tidal stream and tidal range projects around the world. Last year, Richard Parkinson, CEO of HydroWing Inyanga invited me to join the company’s board of directors, and I’m now chairing the board there.

Looking back over the last 10 years of the sector, what do you think has changed the most?

Over the last decade, the industry has benefitted from strong government support, particularly in Wales, and it has made significant progress. However, progress has perhaps not been as rapid as many of us would have hoped.

Marine energy remains a challenging sector, particularly when it comes to tidal stream and tidal range, and those challenges have caused issues for developers, including TEL. I think all those active in the industry would have liked to see faster progress, but progress is being made, and I still think the sector has a bright future ahead.

Has there been a moment in the last decade that made you stop and think, “this industry is actually happening?”

The progress being made in Scotland has been a major catalyst for accelerating the industry here in Wales.

The Welsh Government has provided a lot of support for tidal energy, particularly through its backing of Morlais on Anglesey. When berth holders at Morlais begin deploying their devices and starting to generate electricity, that will be a milestone moment for Wales.  

In your opinion, what’s still holding the marine energy sector back today and what are the biggest challenges it still faces?

I think the challenges are twofold; technology performance and investor confidence.

At present, tidal stream remains a relatively small-scale industry compared with other renewable energy technologies like offshore wind. Securing an investment of £5 million, £10 million or £20 million can be just as difficult, if not more so, than attracting institutional investment for much larger projects, where returns may be viewed as more secure.

The industry must move away from its dependence on public investment and become more reliant on private investment. We are not quite there yet.

What role has Marine Energy Wales played in your own career or organisation and for  the wider industry?

When Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum was first created its Chair, Nick Ainger, and then Chief Executive Tonia Forsyth, asked me if I would chair a new initiative called Marine Energy Pembrokeshire.

The project was funded by the Welsh Government, the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, Milford Haven Port Authority and The Crown Estate. They all recognised the potential of our coastal resource to generate renewable energy.

Then, as it still is now, the objective was to bring together technology developers like TEL, alongside regulators, planners, government authorities, academia and supply chain to collaborate and help advance the industry in Pembrokeshire.

Around six years later, Welsh Government established a task and finish group to consider how the wider industry in Wales could be developed. It was decided that Marine Energy Pembrokeshire would evolve into Marine Energy Wales, building on the same principles and values but operating on a national scale.

I remained Chair of Marine Energy Wales until 2024.

What does Marine Energy Wales do that people outside the industry might not see or fully appreciate? Do you think the sector would look differently without it?

I think Marine Energy Wales remains true to the community interest company spirit and philosophy of its parent organisation, Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum. It’s a not-for-profit membership organisation, and it has been incredibly successful at bringing those key industry stakeholders together.

Without MEW, I don’t think the sector in Wales would be nearly as coordinated, or as progressive as it is now.

if someone reads this article in 2036, what do you hope they’ll say about what the sector has achieved? What are your hopes for the next 10 years?

I hope that by 2036 there will be 240 MW of installed tidal stream capacity at Morlais, with the prospect of more to come.

I also hope we will have seen more progress in tidal range, and that the floating offshore wind projects planned for the Celtic Sea will by then, have become a reality.

There is a great deal that needs to happen over the next ten years, but it will be incredibly rewarding when we begin to see that progress delivering.

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