#MEW2026
VENUE CYMRU | LLANDUDNO
PROGRAMME
We’ve carefully developed this year’s programme to bring together industry leaders, experts, researchers, and policymakers to explore the latest developments and opportunities in tidal, wave, and floating offshore wind technologies in Wales.
Whether you’re a developer, supply chain company, NGO, decision-maker or researcher, our programme has something to offer you.
Please note that this is a preliminary programme and is subject to modifications.
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Welcome and Opening
Welcome from MEW Chair – Tam Bardell
Keynote – Gus Jaspert Managing Director, Marine at The Crown Estate
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Made in Wales – Building our Marine Energy Future in Offshore Wind
With an offshore wind project pipeline of over 7.4 gigawatts, we hear updates from the companies developing eight projects in Welsh waters, focusing on supply chain opportunities and how businesses can get involved.
Break
ARCADIA
Data Transferability in Tidal Stream Consenting: Practical Tools for Faster, Smarter Decisions
Data transferability can reduce time and cost by applying existing environmental evidence appropriately across projects and places.
In this interactive 1.5‑hour workshop, we’ll introduce The Crown Estate’s practical Guidance Framework and Transferability Matrix, then explore how they can be applied using worked hypothetical tidal stream project scenarios.
Built for developers, regulators, and SNCBs, this session focuses on marine mammal collision risk, with lessons that translate to related receptors and impact pathways.
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What, How Many, When: Getting the Workforce Right for Marine Energy
As marine energy projects scale, one question sits at the centre of workforce planning: what skills are needed, how many people are required, and when they are needed. This session brings together industry, Further Education providers, and policymakers to explore how Wales can plan for skills in an emerging and evolving sector.
Lunch
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Keynote – Michael Shanks
Inside the Marine Energy Taskforce: Shaping the Sector’s Future
An exclusive look at the UK Governments Marine Renewable Energy Taskforce’s emerging recommendations and what they could mean for policy, investment, and the next phase of marine renewable growth.
Break
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Innovating at the Water’s Edge: Technical Showcase
This session highlights cutting-edge research and innovation from across the marine renewable energy sector. Featuring the top submissions from our technical call for abstracts, presenters will share practical insights, novel solutions, and pioneering approaches driving progress in wave, tidal, and floating offshore wind. Join us for a fast-paced showcase of technical excellence and emerging ideas shaping the industry’s future.
The session is sponsored by Wales’ national Marine Energy Test Area – META – the home of renewable energy innovation.
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Building Momentum: The Renewable Energy Sector Deal
The new Renewable Energy Sector Deal sets out a bold vision for the sector, outlining how government, industry, and local communities can work together to deliver growth, jobs, and innovation.
This session brings together policymakers, developers, and industry experts to explore what the Deal means in practice, including investment opportunities, supply chain engagement, skills development, and the roadmap for scaling renewable energy in Wales. Delegates will hear how they can participate and benefit from this ambitious programme.
Break
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Supplying Projects Beyond Wales: New Markets for Welsh Businesses
Welsh businesses are increasingly well placed to support marine energy projects beyond national borders. This session explores where the real opportunities are in the outside Wales, and how Welsh suppliers can access them. Speakers will share market intelligence, lessons learned, and practical steps to help companies turn capability into contracts.
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Big Ideas Wales: AI in Business
This session is designed to show you how AI tools can save you time, boost productivity, and even open up new opportunities.
- Led by tech entrepreneur Aled Nelmes with the key takeaways:
- Understanding the benefits and drawbacks of using AI in business
- Learning about the different applications and resources available to you
- Gain practical, actionable tips to start using AI in your business.
- Learn how to integrate AI into your existing workflows
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Made in Wales – Building our Marine Energy Future in Tidal Stream
Everything you need to know about the major tidal stream projects happening around Wales with a focus on supply chain opportunities and how to get involved.
Break
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Smarter Environmental Monitoring in Practice
Wales is emerging as a leader in smart environmental monitoring, with increasingly advanced data collection techniques supporting marine renewable development. This session spotlights Welsh innovators developing technologies that help de-risk projects while improving how we understand and manage the marine environment.
As new approaches are adopted, they must remain robust, credible, and aligned with Natural Resources Wales’ regulatory requirements. The discussion will explore monitoring technologies being Made in Wales, how they can support effective consenting, and the role they could play in shaping future regulatory approaches.
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From Seabed to Grid: Spatial Planning for the Future of Marine Energy
Developing offshore energy isn’t just about technology. It’s also about navigating a growing number of plans that shape where projects can go and how they connect to the energy system. This session looks at how marine planning, grid planning, and wider energy system decisions can work better together to support real project delivery.
Wales and the wider UK are producing increasingly detailed maps and planning tools, but misalignment between them can slow progress and create uncertainty for developers and investors. Bringing together experts from offshore, grid, and energy system planning, this session focuses on how clearer coordination can turn plans into projects, reduce risk, and support confident investment in offshore renewables.
Lunch
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Lagoon Learnings: Research Results Revealed
Following the standing room only workshop at MEW2025, this session will present the findings of three research projects funded through the Welsh Government’s Tidal Lagoon Challenge. Each project has focused on tackling key barriers to deployment, generating new evidence and practical solutions to help unlock the potential of tidal lagoon energy in Wales. Come and gain first-hand insight into the research outcomes and their implications for future tidal range developments.
Break
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Learning from Offshore Delivery Experts
Discover practical insights from leading Tier 1 EPCs and offshore wind delivery specialists. This session will share lessons from large-scale projects, including what works in procurement, construction, and project execution. Delegates will gain guidance on navigating complex supply chains, understanding Tier 1 requirements, and identifying opportunities to engage with major offshore wind developments.
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Conference Reflections & Close
#MEW2026
DYLAN’S | LLANDUDNO
NETWORKING DINNER
Starting with a drink on arrival, followed by a relaxed stand-up dinner (no formal sit down this year!) in an indoor, open setting. With focus on good food, a welcoming atmosphere. This format has been chosen to support easy conversation and networking, allowing delegates to connect in a more relaxed way.
Set on the seafront with views across Llandudno Bay, Dylan’s is one of North Wales’ most iconic venues. The restaurant is recognised for its award-winning, Michelin-recommended menus and its commitment to locally sourced produce from the surrounding seas and countryside, making it a fitting and memorable setting for our 2026 Dinner.
The dinner ticket includes access to the event from 18:00 – 22:30, drinks on arrival, some delicious food, along with presentation of the Ysbryd Y Môr Award – it’s sure to be a night to remember.
Places are limited to 150 tickets, and the event always sells quickly — early booking is strongly recommended.
Dinner Ticket Includes:
- Access to the networking dinner event (18:00–22:30)
- Arrival drink
- Stand-up dinner
- Informal indoor networking space
We’ve worked hard to keep our ticket prices as accessible and inclusive as possible. If these are still a barrier to your attendance, please get in touch with tom.hill@marineenergywales.co.uk to discuss.