#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 & Keynote
09:30 – 10:00
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
10:00 – 11:00
With an offshore wind project pipeline of over 7GW off the coast of Wales, we hear from the companies developing some of the most exciting 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
11:00 – 12:30
Data transferability can support decision-making and reduce the time and cost of project consenting by applying existing environmental evidence across projects and places. This interactive workshop will explore data transferability and practical tools, including The Crown Estate’s practical Guidance Framework and Transferability Matrix.
Participants will work in small groups to discuss how hypothetical marine mammal evidence could be transferable across tidal stream project scenarios using the matrix as a tool. The workshop will allow participants to share thoughts and perspectives while listening to different points of view in a relaxed, open and constructive environment.
All MEW attendees are welcome in this workshop, with no preparation or technical expertise in consenting needed.
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What, How Many, When: Getting the Workforce Right for Marine Energy
11:30 – 12:30
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, Minister for Energy
Inside the Marine Energy Taskforce: Shaping the Sector’s Future
13:30 – 14:30
An exclusive look at the UK’s industry-led Marine 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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From Seabed to Grid: Spatial Planning for the Future of Marine Energy
15:00-16:00
Developing offshore energy is not just about technology. It also requires navigating a growing number of plans that shape where projects can be located and how they connect into the wider energy system.
In this session, senior leaders from National Energy System Operator and The Crown Estate will share the latest thinking on how offshore wind and tidal energy in Wales are being considered through the Strategic Spatial Energy Plan and the Marine Delivery Routemap.
The session will be interactive, with both speakers keen to hear feedback from the audience. Questions and input through Slido will help shape the discussion and explore how these frameworks can best support the future of marine energy.
ARCADIA
Innovating at the Water’s Edge: Technical Showcase
15:00-16:00
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.
Break
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Supplying Projects Beyond Wales: New Markets for Welsh Businesses
16:30-17:30
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
16:30-17:30
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
09:30 – 10:30
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
11:00 – 12:00
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.
ARCADIA
Lagoon Learnings: Research Results Revealed
11:00 – 12:00
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.
Lunch
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Funding the Offshore Renewables Supply Chain: What’s Available and How to Access it
13:00 – 14:00
This session brings together The Crown Estate, Great British Energy, the National Wealth Fund and the Offshore Wind Growth Partnership to set out the funding opportunities currently available to the offshore wind supply chain.
Speakers will provide a clear overview of live and upcoming programmes, what they are designed to support, and what funders are looking for from applicants. The discussion will focus on how Welsh and UK supply chain companies can position themselves to access funding, scale capability and invest with confidence.
Break
ARCADIA
Starting Out in Offshore Renewables: Early Careers Insights
13:00 – 14:00
Getting started in the renewable energy sector can feel challenging, and for employers, attracting and retaining the right talent can be just as complex. This session brings together early-career professionals to share honest insights into their routes into marine energy, the skills that helped them succeed, and the barriers they faced along the way.
Alongside personal experiences, the discussion will offer valuable perspectives for employers on how early-career talent views the sector, what attracts them to roles, and how businesses can better support recruitment, development, and retention. A practical session for students, graduates, career changers, and organisations looking to build strong future teams.
Break
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Learning from Offshore Delivery Experts
14:30 – 15:30
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 and Close
15:30 – 16:00
This session brings together experts and speakers from across the conference to review key insights, highlight emerging opportunities, and reflect on the discussions over the past two days.
#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.