Marine Energy Wales (MEW) and the National Hydropower Association (NHA) have formalized a partnership to advance the marine energy sector through a newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This agreement is aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two organizations, which advocate for marine renewable energy development in Wales and North America, respectively.
MEW represents industries across tidal stream, tidal range, floating offshore wind, and wave energy in Wales, while the NHA represents over 300 companies within North America’s hydropower industry. Through this MoU, both groups plan to support shared initiatives that can accelerate the deployment of technologies and contribute to reaching Net Zero emissions goals.
The MoU outlines specific areas for collaboration between MEW and NHA, such as mutual support for policy development, reducing deployment barriers, and supporting the industry’s role in clean energy transitions. This partnership seeks to open up pathways for technological exchange, resource sharing, and collaborative problem-solving in the sector.
Jay Sheppard, Project Manager at MEW, expressed enthusiasm about the new partnership, stating: “We are excited to formalise this partnership with our American counterparts. By combining our expertise, we can share learning on policy development and collaborate on reducing barriers to deployment in the marine renewable energy sector. This agreement marks a pivotal moment in our joint efforts to accelerate progress and create sustainable, long-term solutions for both our nations.”
Kelly Rogers, Program Manager at the National Hydropower Association, also highlighted the importance of the collaboration. “This Memorandum of Understanding with MEW marks a significant step forward in the National Hydropower Association’s efforts to drive the commercialization of marine energy through global collaboration. By partnering with MEW, NHA will be able to leverage more diverse industry insights and resources to tackle barriers that stand in the way of market growth,” Rogers said. “Together, we’re not only expanding pathways for clean energy deployment but also elevating marine energy as a robust commercial sector that supports sustainable economic growth and resilient energy systems on both sides of the Atlantic.”
Through this agreement, MEW and NHA aim to support industry leaders, government bodies, and researchers working to accelerate the marine energy sector’s growth in both the US and Wales.
In a similar effort to strengthen international partnerships, earlier this year the NHA signed an MoU with Marine Renewables Canada (MRC). This agreement also focuses on advancing marine energy solutions through knowledge sharing and collaborative problem-solving to support a global transition to Net Zero.
